Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers and Onions

Servings: 4 Total Time: 35 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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Introduction

Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers and Onions is one of the most iconic Tex-Mex dishes that brings sizzling flavors straight from the skillet to your table. Juicy strips of marinated chicken are cooked with colorful bell peppers and onions, then served hot with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings. This dish is not only delicious but also visually stunning, with its vibrant mix of colors and aromas.

It’s perfect for a family dinner, weekend meal, or even a party where everyone can customize their own fajitas with salsa, guacamole, cheese, or sour cream.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it brings together everything I want in a meal: bold flavors, vibrant colors, and a fun way to eat. The chicken is marinated with smoky spices and lime juice, which makes it tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The bell peppers and onions not only add natural sweetness and crunch but also make the dish look so beautiful and appetizing with their mix of red, yellow, and green colors.

What I love most is how versatile and interactive this recipe is. It’s not just food — it’s an experience. Everyone can build their own fajita just the way they like it, adding salsa, guacamole, cheese, or sour cream. It turns dinner into a family-style feast that feels festive, even on a weeknight.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

  • Quick & easy — ready in under 30 minutes.
  • Family-friendly — everyone can assemble their own fajita wraps.
  • Balanced meal — lean protein + veggies + tortillas.
  • Customizable — adjust spice level, toppings, or use low-carb tortillas.
  • Restaurant-style at home — save money and still enjoy sizzling fajitas.

Preparation & Cooking Time

  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Calories per serving: ~380 kcal (without toppings; varies by tortilla type)

Cuisine & Course

  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Mexican-inspired
  • Course: Main Course, Dinner

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 1 ½ lbs (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Vegetables:

  • 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 large green bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 large onion, sliced into strips
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

For Serving:

  • 8 flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges
  • Toppings of choice: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese

Simple Cooking Directions

  1. Marinate chicken with spices, lime, and oil.
  2. Cook marinated chicken in a hot skillet until golden.
  3. Sauté bell peppers and onions until tender-crisp.
  4. Return chicken to skillet and toss everything together.
  5. Serve hot with tortillas and toppings.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and spices.
  2. Add chicken strips and toss well.
  3. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  1. Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken strips and cook 5–7 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred.
  3. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, add olive oil.
  2. Add bell peppers and onion slices.
  3. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  4. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.

Step 4: Combine and Heat

  1. Return chicken to skillet with peppers and onions.
  2. Toss everything together until well combined and hot.

Step 5: Serve

  • Warm tortillas and fill with chicken, peppers, and onions.
  • Add toppings like sour cream, salsa, cheese, guacamole, or cilantro.

How to Serve

  • Serve sizzling hot directly from the skillet for a restaurant-style experience.
  • Place tortillas in a warm cloth to keep them soft.
  • Offer toppings in small bowls so everyone can customize their fajitas.
  • Pair with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh salad.

Additional Recipe Tips

  • Cut chicken and veggies into uniform strips for even cooking.
  • A cast-iron skillet works best for that authentic sizzling flavor.
  • Warm tortillas before serving (in a skillet, oven, or microwave).
  • If you want extra smoky flavor, grill the chicken instead of pan-frying.

Variations

  • Steak Fajitas: Swap chicken with flank steak or skirt steak.
  • Shrimp Fajitas: Use shrimp and cook for just 3–4 minutes.
  • Vegetarian Fajitas: Use mushrooms, zucchini, and extra bell peppers.
  • Low-Carb Fajitas: Serve over lettuce wraps or cauliflower rice instead of tortillas.

Freezing & Storage

  • Refrigerator: Store cooked fajita filling (without tortillas) in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Store marinated raw chicken (uncooked) in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before cooking.
  • Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in short bursts until hot.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Large skillet (cast-iron preferred)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sharp knife and chopping board
  • Tongs for tossing ingredients

Conclusion

Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers and Onions is the perfect dish to bring Tex-Mex flair to your dinner table. It’s quick, flavorful, colorful, and endlessly customizable. Whether you serve it for a casual weeknight dinner or a fun weekend gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy everyone.

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Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers and Onions

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 35 mins
Servings: 4 Calories: 380 kcal

Description

Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers and Onions is one of the most iconic Tex-Mex dishes that brings sizzling flavors straight from the skillet to your table.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

For the Vegetables:

For Serving:

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Marinate the Chicken : In a bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and spices. Add chicken strips and toss well. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
  2. Step 2: Cook the Chicken : Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook 5–7 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Cook the Vegetables : In the same skillet, add olive oil. Add bell peppers and onion slices. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
  4. Step 4: Combine and Heat : Return chicken to skillet with peppers and onions. Toss everything together until well combined and hot.
  5. Step 5: Serve : Warm tortillas and fill with chicken, peppers, and onions. Add toppings like sour cream, salsa, cheese, guacamole, or cilantro.
Keywords: Chicken Fajitas with Bell Peppers and Onions
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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Q1: Can I make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the marinade up to 24 hours in advance and keep it in the fridge.

Q2: Should I use chicken breasts or thighs?

Both work well. Breasts are leaner, while thighs are juicier and more flavorful.

Q3: Can I make fajitas without tortillas?

Yes! Serve the filling over rice, in lettuce wraps, or even as a salad topping.

Q4: How do I keep tortillas soft?

Wrap them in foil or a damp towel and keep warm in the oven or microwave.

Samantha Doe Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.

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