These One-Pan Chicken Fajitas are a weeknight winner! Tender, juicy chicken and colorful bell peppers are coated in a vibrant fajita marinade, then baked to perfection in a single pan. Served with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings, these fajitas are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and convenient: Everything cooks together on one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Flavorful: The marinade infuses the chicken and vegetables with a delicious blend of spices and zesty citrus.
- Healthy and satisfying: Chicken is a lean protein source, and the colorful bell peppers add a boost of vitamins and antioxidants.
- Fun and interactive: Everyone can customize their own fajitas with their favorite toppings.
Ingredients for One-Pan Chicken Fajitas
This recipe uses fresh, simple ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying meal. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Fajita Seasoning:
- Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Dried Oregano, Chipotle Chili Pepper (optional): A blend of spices that create a warm and inviting flavor.
For the Chicken Marinade:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Sliced into thin strips for quick cooking and maximum flavor.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps the spices adhere to the chicken.
- Orange Juice and Lime Juice: Provide a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps with browning.
- Liquid Smoke: Adds a smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients.
For the Vegetables:
- Bell Peppers: Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers add color and sweetness.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced to add a sweet and savory flavor.
For the Salsa Verde Crema (Optional):
- Sour Cream: Creates a creamy base for the sauce.
- Salsa Verde: Adds a zesty and slightly spicy flavor.
- Lime Juice: Adds a bright citrusy flavor.
- Chipotle Powder (optional): Adds a smoky heat.
For Serving:
- Flour Tortillas: Warmed for a soft and pliable texture.
- Sour Cream, Guacamole, Cilantro, Pico de Gallo, Lime Wedges, Hot Sauce: Choose your favorite toppings to customize your fajitas.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
How to Make One-Pan Chicken Fajitas
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large jelly roll pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the Marinade
In a large bowl or freezer bag, whisk together the fajita seasonings and chicken marinade ingredients (except for the chicken). Remove 1 1/2 tablespoons of the marinade to use on the vegetables.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Add the sliced chicken to the remaining marinade and stir to evenly coat. Set aside while you prep the vegetables, or cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. If marinating in the refrigerator, bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking.
Step 4: Prepare the Vegetables
Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the prepared baking sheet. Toss with the reserved marinade. Spread the vegetables in an even layer on one side of the pan.
Step 5: Bake
Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade and spread it in an even layer on the other side of the pan, ensuring the strips aren’t overlapping. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 16-22 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 6: Warm the Tortillas and Make the Sauce (Optional)
During the last 8-12 minutes of baking, wrap the tortillas tightly in foil and warm them in the oven. If using the Salsa Verde Crema, whisk together the sour cream, salsa verde, lime juice, and chipotle powder (if using) in a small bowl.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Remove the pan from the oven and give the chicken and vegetables a stir. Serve the fajitas by filling the warmed tortillas with the chicken and vegetables. Top with your favorite toppings, such as Salsa Verde Crema, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, pico de gallo, lime wedges, or hot sauce.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Chicken: For the juiciest and most flavorful chicken, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins. If using chicken breasts, slice them in half through the equator and pound them with a meat mallet to tenderize.
- Pan size: Use a large rimmed jelly roll pan (15 x 21 inches) to ensure the ingredients fit in a single layer without overlapping. If you don’t have a jelly roll pan, you can use two smaller baking sheets.
- Liquid smoke: Adds a delicious smoky flavor to the chicken.
- Chipotle chili powder: Adds a smoky heat. You can substitute it with a pinch of cayenne pepper or omit it altogether if you don’t like heat.
How to Serve One-Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Taco night: These fajitas are perfect for a fun and easy Taco Tuesday celebration.
- Casual dinner: They also make a great casual weeknight meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and vegetables gently in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop until heated through. Warm the tortillas before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, you can use steak or pork instead of chicken. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free tortillas.
Can I make the marinade ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the marinade ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
Can I grill the chicken and vegetables instead of baking them?
Yes, you can grill the chicken and vegetables. Simply preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side and the vegetables for 5-10 minutes, or until cooked through.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for One-Pan Chicken Fajitas. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintOne-Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Tex-Mex
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
These One Pan Chicken Fajitas are a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor. Tender chicken and colorful vegetables are marinated in a homemade fajita seasoning, then baked to perfection in the oven.
Ingredients
Fajita Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon EACH smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper (optional, for spicier fajitas)
Chicken Marinade:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- Juice and zest from 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Vegetables:
- 3 bell peppers (red, orange, yellow), sliced into 1/4-inch strips
- 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
Salsa Verde Crema (Optional):
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa verde
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Chipotle powder to taste (optional)
For Serving (Choose Your Favorites):
- 8–10 (6-inch) flour tortillas
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Pico de gallo
- Lime wedges
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large jelly roll pan (21×15 inches) with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray (or use two baking sheets).
- Make Marinade and Seasoning: In a large freezer bag or bowl, whisk together the fajita seasonings and chicken marinade ingredients (hold the chicken). Remove 1 ½ tablespoons to use on the vegetables.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the sliced chicken to the marinade and stir to evenly coat. Set aside while you prep the vegetables, or cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours, then bring to room temperature before cooking.
- Prep Vegetables: Add the bell peppers and onions to the prepared baking sheet. Toss with the reserved 1 ½ tablespoons marinade (that never touched the raw chicken). Spread into an even layer on one side of the pan.
- Arrange Chicken: Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade and spread on the other side of the pan so the strips aren’t overlapping.
- Bake: Bake at 400 degrees F for 16-22 minutes, until the chicken thighs are cooked to 170 degrees F (160°F for chicken breasts).
- Warm Tortillas: Wrap tortillas tightly in foil and warm in the oven during the last 8-12 minutes of cooking.
- Make Salsa Verde Crema: If using the Salsa Verde Crema, whisk all of the ingredients together during this time.
- Serve: Give the cooked chicken and bell peppers a stir. Serve by adding to warmed tortillas and piling on desired toppings such as Salsa Verde Crema or sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro with plenty of freshly squeezed lime juice.
Notes
- Chicken: For the juiciest, most flavorful chicken, use boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins. Slice the chicken thighs widthwise to create shorter slices with more uniform thickness. If using chicken breasts, make sure to slice extra-large breasts in half through the equator and pound with a meat mallet or the side of a can in order to tenderize. It is critical not to overcook chicken breasts because they dry out easily.
- Pan Size: Use a rimmed jelly roll pan which measures 15 x 21 inches. The size of the sheet pan matters because you want the ingredients to fit in a single layer without overlapping. If you don’t have a jelly roll pan, you can use 2 smaller pans.
- Liquid Smoke: This adds a wonderful smoky flavor to the chicken. You can find liquid smoke next to the barbecue sauces at your grocery store.
- Chipotle Chili Powder: This adds smoky heat. You can substitute with a pinch of cayenne pepper (because it’s spicier than chipotle) or omit it altogether if you don’t like heat.
- Meal Prep: These Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas can be prepped ahead of time. Marinate the chicken for up to 8 hours or slice the vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. You can also assemble the chicken and bell peppers on the sheet pan, cover, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
- Storage: Store leftover Chicken Fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
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