Easy Chicken Fajitas - Sheet Pan & Air Fryer

An easy Chicken Fajitas recipe that's super flavorful and bursting with Mexican seasoning is quickly prepared in the oven or air fryer in under 25 minutes. The crisp and charred broiled chicken and veggies can be used for burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, salads and more!

Fast & Flavorful Mexican Dinner

Piping hot fajitas are my go-to dinner entree whenever I go out to my favorite Mexican restaurant. That special sizzle working its way down the restaurant to the table is one of my absolute favorite sounds. I feels so festive!!

Over the years I have figured out an incredibly simple and quick technique to get restaurant-style fajitas in the comfort of my home. The right seasoning combined with high-heat cooking is key to delicious Fajitas in under 30 minutes.

That's right! This easy and flavorful Mexican dinner is prepped and ready in under 25 minutes with the oven broiler or air fryer. That's faster than you can finish preparing the toppings!

Chicken Tenders vs Chicken Breasts - How To Cut Chicken Breasts for Fajitas

I prefer chicken tenders when broiling a batch of chicken fajitas as it cuts down on prep time (no-to-minimal cutting or cleaning required). They are just as juicy, tender and moist as white meat when cooked properly.

Plus, they're the best length and thickness (5 inches long and 1-1.5 inches wide) for homemade fajitas. If they're too wide, I simply cut them in half using kitchen shears.

If chicken tenders aren't available at the grocery store, you can use 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead, but you will need to slice them first.

To cut chicken breasts for fajitas, simply cut each breast lengthwise into ½-inch thick pieces, and if those slices are too wide, cut them in half.

How To Season Chicken For Fajitas

This fajita recipe is seasoned with a well-balanced homemade taco/fajita seasoning that I put together in a minute. I find the flavor profile and spice factor in an at-home seasoning blend much more prominent, plus I can tweak the spices to my taste.

The spices, mixed with neutral avocado or vegetable oil, create their own marinade!

But if you don't have all the components on hand, feel free to use 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite brand of fajita or taco seasoning (I personally love Trader Joe's brand).

Homemade Chicken Fajita Seasoning

Here is my favorite blend of Mexican spices to create my very own homemade chicken fajita seasoning. It is good for 1-1.5 pound of protein + veggies. Simple combine:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon Mexican chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Sheet Pan Fajitas vs Air Fryer

These Fajitas turn out juicy and delicious in an Air fryer or oven. My preferred method is cooking sheet pan fajitas under the broiler rather than the air fryer.

Since the oven broiler acts much the same way as an air fryer (super high, dry heat), either method will cook the chicken tenders and veggies in 10-12 minutes max!

But for that char-grilled exterior, the ingredients need enough space between each other to crisp up properly. In the air fryer, I must split this recipe in two batches.

As long as I use a large, foil-lined baking sheet, the oven method allows me to broil the chicken and vegetables all in one go, cutting down on cooking (and anticipation) time!

Chicken Fajita Ingredients (& Substitutions)

The ingredients you need are broken down into three parts - the chicken and veggies, taco seasoning and toppings.

• Chicken: As previously mentioned, I prefer chicken tenders since they require minimum prep. If they're too wide, I simply cut them in half 'length-wise' using kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Feel free to use an equal amount of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer dark meat, use an equal amount of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in roughly the same size (see How To Cut Chicken Breasts For Fajitas above).
• Veggies: Peppers and onions are the classic Mexican fajita vegetables. While filming this recipe, I used one red and one yellow pepper, but any color assortment will do. For a bit more spice, feel free to replace one bell pepper with a poblano pepper instead.
• Taco Seasoning: I like to make a homemade blend of fajita seasoning since I can add a little or a lot of any particular ground spice. It helps to cut down on salt and preservatives, too. Feel free to use 2-3 Tablespoons of your favorite taco seasoning packet if that is all you have on hand.
• Toppings: This is the fun part! Use any and all of your favorite fajita toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, avocado lime sauce, sliced olives or shredded lettuce. I love to prep all the toppings ahead of time and have a DIY toppings bar ready and waiting!

How To Make Chicken Fajitas Recipe

This recipe is as simple as season, cook and serve! First, prep and season the chicken, peppers and onions, then cook in under the oven broiler or in an air fryer.

Season Chicken, Onions & Peppers

• In a large mixing bowl or a gallon size ziplock bag (easy clean-up), add chicken tenders, sliced peppers, and onions. Add avocado (or canola) oil and toss well using tongs. (Tip: coating with oil first allows the spices to stick evenly)
• Add salt and all dry spices and toss till everything is coated evenly (or seal the ziplock bag and shake the bag till well coated).

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas - Oven Method (Preferred)

• Turn the oven on HIGH Broil mode. Spread the seasoned chicken, peppers and onions evenly on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet (no parchment as edges might burn).
• Place the baking sheet on the top layer, making sure there's a 2.5-3 inch clearance from the broiler plates, else the chicken will burn. Broil for 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (check at the 10 minute mark).

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

• Spread half the seasoned chicken, peppers and onions evenly in the fryer basket. Make sure to cook it in two batches so you don't overcrowd the pan.

• Slide the tray in position and cook on 360°F for 8 minutes. Remove the basket, shake it and put it back for another 3-4 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

How Many Calories In Fajita Filling?

One serving of the fajita filling is 241 calories. Keep in mind this is the calorie count for the chicken and vegetable mix only, which means it does not include tortillas, taco shells or any additional toppings.

As with all recipes, make sure to cross-check with your preferred nutrition calculator. If a low-carb chicken fajita is what you're after, keep reading!

Serving Suggestions - Burritos, Tacos, Enchiladas, Tostadas, Nachos

This chicken fajita recipe is incredibly versatile, too. Feel free to serve it as:

• Burritos:
  • Warm flour tortillas over the stovetop or wrap them in foil and warm in the oven while the chicken is broiling.
  • Fill and top with your favorite condiments and gently roll into a flavor-packed burrito.
• Tacos:
  • Place crispy yellow or blue corn taco shells onto a baking sheet and toast in the oven during the last 2 minutes of cooking time.
  • Fill, dollop and drizzle to enjoy as crunchy tacos.
• Enchiladas:
  • Microwave corn tortillas in the microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.
  • Lightly oil a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish and coat the bottom with a ladle of enchilada sauce (a 12-oz store-bought jar will do).
  • Dip each tortilla in the enchilada sauce, then scoop ¼ cup of the chicken mixture into each tortilla, gently roll and place in the pan, seam side down.
  • Top with remaining enchilada sauce and 1 cup shredded Cheddar, Monterey Jack or blend of Mexican cheeses.
  • Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven and garnish with cilantro, sour cream or your favorite toppings!
• Tostadas:
  • Spread 8 corn tortillas out on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Drizzle lightly with oil, coat well and season with salt. Bake in preheated 400-degree oven for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Top with the chicken fajita mix and your favorite toppings!
• Chips/Nachos:
  • Line a thick layer of chips on a greased foil-lined baking sheet and spoon chopped up chicken mixture evenly on top.
  • Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese.
  • Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 5-6 minutes and serve immediately with your favorite toppings!

Alternatively, you can serve the Mexican-spiced chicken and vegetables with a side of Mexican rice or Mexican quinoa for a simple weeknight meal.

Healthy & Low Carb Fajitas

A healthy and low-carb option for the hubby and me includes serving the chicken and veggies with:

• Big Green Salad: Such as spring mix, baby spinach, kale or romaine
• Lettuce Cups: Large romaine leaves or delicate butter lettuce cups work best

A little lighter and greener, yet still delicious!

The Best Fajita Topping Sauces

Once you have your chicken fajitas assembled, dollop or drizzle a generous portion of one or all of the following topping sauces, such as:

• Pico De Gallo
• Creamy Avocado Dressing
• Guacamole
• Restaurant-Style Salsa
• Mango Salsa

Recipe Tips & Notes

• Substitute chicken tenders with 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Cut each breast lengthwise into ½-inch thick pieces, then cut that in half, width-wise. If you prefer dark meat, use an equal amount of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, following the same slicing guidelines.
• Make your own taco seasoning blend or use a store-bought seasoning. I prefer the flavor and aromatic quality of homemade fajita seasoning. Simply use 2-3 Tablespoons of your favorite store-bought seasoning packet instead.
• Bake in one-even layer under the broil or two batches in the air fryer. Use a large enough sheet pan for the oven method so the chicken and vegetables are spread into one-even layer. If you decide to use the air fryer, you will need to cook the fajita filling in two batches to achieve a charred, crispy texture.
• Transform the fajitas into burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas or chips. Follow the instructions above to create a fun and creative Mexican meal.
• For healthy and low-carb fajitas, serve the chicken mixture over a bed of greens or crisp lettuce cups, such as romaine or butter lettuce.

More Recipes Featuring Chicken Fajitas

• Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
• Pulled Chicken Fajita Tacos

More Mexican Flavored Recipes From My Kitchen

• Bean Burrito | Instant Pot Burrito Bowl
• Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos
• Instant Pot Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)
• 13 Delicious Cinco De Mayo Recipes
• Instant Pot Black Bean Chili (Vegetarian & Vegan)
• Black Bean Quesadillas
• Easy Instant Pot Chicken Chili

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