Pure Joy: 1 Pan Chicken Fajitas

You know those nights? The ones after a super long day when the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove for ages? Yeah, I’ve been there! For years, the kitchen felt like the last place I wanted to be after work, just another chore. But then I discovered how truly joyful and, frankly, EASY it can be to make something *amazing* with just a little effort. That’s exactly why I’m obsessed with these chicken fajitas. They’re bursting with flavor from a bold homemade seasoning, packed with colorful peppers and onions, and cooked up in a flash right in your skillet. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve got it all together, even on the busiest weeknight. Seriously, this is pure cooking joy in a pan!

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Why You’ll Love These Easy Chicken Fajitas

Seriously, these chicken fajitas are my go-to for a reason! They’re genuinely fast, packed with incredible flavor, super easy to make in just one pan, and you can customize them perfectly with whatever toppings you have on hand. It’s exactly the kind of simple, satisfying meal that makes cooking pure joy!

Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Fajitas

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up these amazing chicken fajitas. It’s a pretty straightforward list, and you probably have most of it already!

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (just a pinch for a little warmth!)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 8 small flour tortillas
• Optional: Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, your favorite salsa, sliced avocado or guacamole, chopped fresh cilantro

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Crafting the Ultimate Chicken Fajitas Marinade

Okay, here’s where the magic really starts for these chicken fajitas – the marinade! It’s not complicated at all, just a super flavorful blend of spices that gives the chicken a fantastic Tex-Mex kick. For this homemade seasoning, we’re mixing chili powder for that smoky depth, cumin for earthiness, paprika for a touch of sweetness, garlic and onion powder for all-around savory goodness, and just a pinch of cayenne if you like a little warmth. Toss all these amazing spices with your sliced chicken and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or even better, a few hours in the fridge, to really let those flavors soak in. Trust me, marinating makes all the difference! You can even check out my carne asada marinade for more inspiration on building big flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Okay, let’s get these amazing chicken fajitas sizzling in your kitchen! It’s really quite simple, and using a good skillet, especially cast iron if you have it, makes all the difference. We’re going to build layers of flavor quickly, making this a fantastic weeknight recipe. Just follow along, and you’ll have a Tex-Mex feast ready in no time! It’s similar to how I make these speedy chicken Florentine skillets – fast and flavorful.

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Seasoning and Searing the Chicken

First things first, get your skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat. A cast iron skillet is amazing here because it holds heat so well and gives you that perfect sear, locking in all the juices. Add that luscious olive oil and let it shimmer. Now, carefully add your seasoned chicken strips in a single layer – don’t crowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of searing! Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re beautifully browned and cooked all the way through. Once they’re done, just scoop them out and set them aside in a bowl. We’ll bring them back later!

Sautéing the Peppers and Onions

Now, into that same hot skillet (no need to clean it, all those brown bits are flavor gold!), toss in your sliced bell peppers and onion. Give them a good stir in the residual oil and seasoning. You want to cook these for about 5-7 minutes, stirring every so often, until they’re tender-crisp. That means they’re softened but still have a little bit of a bite to them – that’s the perfect fajita texture!

Combining and Warming

Alright, the final stretch! Go ahead and bring that beautifully cooked chicken back into the skillet with the tender veggies. Give everything a good toss to combine and let it all heat through for another minute or two. While that’s happening, quickly warm up your flour tortillas – I usually do this right in the skillet for a minute or two per side, or pop them in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel. Now you’re ready to assemble!

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Customizing Your Chicken Fajitas Dinner

Now for my favorite part – making these chicken fajitas totally your own! Serving them up in warm tortillas is key for that authentic Tex-Mex dinner feel. I love using soft flour tortillas, but corn ones are great too if that’s your jam. And the toppings? Oh my goodness, the possibilities are endless! Pile on some shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack are classics!), a dollop of cool sour cream or even some Greek yogurt, your go-to salsa – maybe try this amazing fresh salsa? Then there’s creamy guacamole or sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to finish it off. You can even peek at my veggie fajita wraps for more ideas on making them delicious!

Tips for Success with Your Chicken Fajitas

You want these chicken fajitas to be absolutely perfect, right? So, here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way that make a huge difference, especially on a busy weeknight. First, if you have the time, let that chicken marinate for longer than 30 minutes – even just an extra hour in the fridge really deepens the flavor. And remember when we talked about not overcrowding the pan? That’s super important for getting that lovely seared texture on the chicken. Pop a link here to my meal prep chicken guide if you want to get a head start on that! These little things just elevate the whole meal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Fajitas

Got questions about making these chicken fajitas? I totally get it! It’s always good to have a clear picture. Let’s dive into some of the most common things people ask.

Can I use different vegetables in my chicken fajitas?

Absolutely! While bell peppers and onions are classic, feel free to mix in other veggies you love. Sliced zucchini, mushrooms, or even a bit of corn can be delicious. Just make sure to slice them similarly so they cook evenly with the peppers and onions. It’s a great way to clean out the fridge and make them part of your meal planning!

How should I store leftover chicken fajitas?

Leftovers store really well! Once cooled, keep the chicken and veggie mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can store the tortillas separately to keep them from getting soggy. Just reheat everything gently in a skillet or the microwave when you’re ready for more tasty fajitas!

Can I make the chicken and veggie mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you totally can! This is a fantastic recipe for meal prep chicken. You can prepare the chicken and vegetable mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it in the skillet and warm up your tortillas. It’s a lifesaver on busy nights!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can change a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the brand of tortillas or how much cheese you pile on top. But generally, you’re looking at around 450 calories per serving, packed with about 35g of protein to keep you full. It’s a pretty balanced and delicious way to enjoy a Tex-Mex dinner!

Share Your Chicken Fajitas Creations!

Okay, now tell me, how did your chicken fajitas turn out? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it! Drop a comment below with your thoughts, rate the recipe if you tried it, or even tag me on social media with your amazing photos. You can reach out via my contact page or share your pics on Facebook – I’m over at Pure Cooking Joy! Your feedback makes my day!

Easy Chicken Fajitas

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Sizzling chicken fajitas with a bold marinade, colorful peppers and onions, cooked quickly in a skillet. Customize with your favorite tortillas and toppings.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 8 flour tortillas
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine sliced chicken with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion to the same skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine and heat through.
6. Warm the tortillas according to package directions.
7. Serve the chicken and vegetable mixture in warm tortillas with your desired toppings.

Notes

• For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper for your preferred level of spice.
• This recipe is great for meal planning; leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Consider this a simple alternative to meal planning services.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (2 fajitas)
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 100mg