
Chicken Fajitas
A sizzling, crowd-pleasing classic that never gets old. Juicy strips of marinated chicken are cooked alongside sweet bell peppers and onions, then piled into warm flour tortillas with all your favorite toppings. This reliable home recipe delivers bold, smoky-savory flavor with minimal fuss — perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
4 servings · Prep 20 min · Cook 15 min · Total 65 min
Main Course
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Marinade
3 tbsp olive oil divided
3 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed (about 2 limes)
3 cloves garlic minced
1.5 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp dried oregano
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Main
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into ¼-inch strips against the grain
1 red bell pepper seeded and sliced into thin strips
1 yellow bell pepper seeded and sliced into thin strips
1 green bell pepper seeded and sliced into thin strips
1 large yellow onion halved and sliced into thin half-moons
Vegetables
1 tbsp olive oil for cooking the vegetables
0.5 tsp salt for seasoning vegetables
Serving
8 piece flour tortillas medium (8-inch), warmed
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 lime cut into wedges
0.25 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
Equipment
Stovetop
Microwave
Aluminum Foil
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Cast Iron Skillet
Paper Towel
Whisk
Plates
Spatula
Knife
Tongs
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch)
Meat Thermometer
Instructions
- In a large #[Mixing Bowl], whisk together ~[2 tablespoons] of the @[Olive Oil], @[Lime Juice], @[Garlic] minced, @[Chili Powder], @[Cumin], @[Paprika] smoked, @[Oregano], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper] until well combined.
- Add the sliced @[Chicken Breasts] to the bowl and toss well to coat every piece. Cover and let marinate at room temperature for at least ~[30 minutes], or refrigerate for up to ~[4 hours] for deeper flavor.
- Heat a large #[Cast Iron Skillet] over ^[high heat] until very hot — about ~[2 minutes]. Add ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Olive Oil] and swirl to coat. Add the sliced @[Yellow Onion] and @[Red Bell Pepper], @[Yellow Bell Pepper], @[Green Bell Pepper], season with ~[½ tsp] @[Salt], and cook undisturbed for ~[2 minutes] to get some char, then stir and cook another ~[3–4 minutes] until softened with lightly charred edges. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Return the #[Cast Iron Skillet] to ^[high heat]. Add the remaining ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Olive Oil]. Remove the @[Chicken Breasts] from the marinade (letting excess drip off) and add it to the skillet in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for ~[3 minutes] until a golden sear forms on the bottom.
- Flip the @[Chicken Breasts] and cook for another ~[2–3 minutes] until cooked through (%[internal temperature of 165°F]). Avoid overcrowding — cook in two batches if needed to maintain a proper sear.
- Return the cooked @[Red Bell Pepper], @[Yellow Bell Pepper], @[Green Bell Pepper], and @[Yellow Onion] to the #[Cast Iron Skillet] with the @[Chicken Breasts]. Toss everything together over ^[high heat] for ~[1 minute] so the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with @[Salt], @[Black Pepper], or an extra squeeze of @[Lime Juice].
- Warm the @[Flour Tortillas]: wrap them in a damp paper towel and #[Microwave] for ~[30–45 seconds], or heat them one at a time directly over a gas burner or in a dry #[Skillet] for ~[20–30 seconds] per side until lightly charred and pliable. Wrap in #[Aluminum Foil] to keep warm.
- Serve the sizzling @[Chicken Breasts] and vegetable mixture straight from the #[Cast Iron Skillet] alongside the warm @[Flour Tortillas] and all your toppings: @[Sour Cream], guacamole, salsa, @[Mexican Cheese Blend], fresh @[Cilantro], and @[Lime] wedges. Let everyone build their own fajitas at the table.
