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Looking for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for one? Our Chicken Fajita recipe is just what you need. This dish, originating from the Tex-Mex border, combines the tender juiciness of chicken with the crispness of bell peppers and onions, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. It’s a simple yet delightful meal that brings a burst of flavors in every bite. Whether you’re in a rush or just craving something delicious, these chicken fajitas are an excellent choice, easy to whip up in no time.
Enjoy these chicken fajitas with smooth Guacamole, vibrant Pico de Gallo, velvety Queso, crispy Tortilla Chips, a refreshing Margarita, and a luscious slice of Tres Leches Cake.
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Why You’ll Love These Chicken Fajitas
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes, this chicken fajita recipe is perfect for busy schedules.
- Versatile: Suitable for various dietary preferences including low carb and gluten-free options.
- Flavorful: Enjoy a mix of succulent chicken, crisp vegetables, and aromatic spices.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable with different veggies or spices.
- Nutritious: Packed with protein and veggies, it’s a balanced and healthy meal.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch fajita recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Butter: For sautéing. Olive oil can be used as a healthier alternative.
- Chicken Breast or Thigh (sliced): Lean and versatile, chicken breast is preferred, but thighs offer more juiciness. If you’ve got an extra chicken breast or thigh, use it to make Baked Chicken Tenders, Chicken Chili, or Crack Chicken.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings for flavor enhancement.
- Sliced Onions and Bell Peppers: Adds crunch and sweetness. Feel free to use any color of bell pepper. Leftover peppers can be added to Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja, Mexican Street Corn Salad, or Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Garlic: For a rich aroma and flavor.
- 2-3 Flour Tortillas: The base of the fajitas. Use low carb or whole wheat tortillas for healthier options, or lettuce wraps for a low carb alternative. Consider using our easy homemade tortilla recipe and use any leftover tortillas in Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos, Chicken Tacos, or Steak Fajitas.
Optional Fajita Toppings
Enhance your chicken fajitas with these delicious and popular topping options:
- Sliced Avocado: Adds a creamy, rich texture to each bite.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, offering a gooey, cheesy layer.
- Sour Cream: Provides a cool, tangy contrast to the warm spices.
- Chopped Cilantro: Brings a fresh, herby aroma to the dish.
- Homemade Queso: Drizzle for a luxurious, cheesy flavor boost.
These toppings not only add layers of flavor and texture but also allow for personalization of your chicken fajita meal.
Recipe Variations
- Chicken Fajitas with Jalapeños: For those who love a fiery touch, adding sliced jalapeños brings a spicy kick that elevates the dish.
- Shrimp Fajitas: Swap out chicken for shrimp to enjoy a delicious seafood variation. Shrimp cooks quickly and absorbs the fajita flavors beautifully.
- Vegan Chicken Fajitas: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version.
- Breakfast Chicken Fajitas with Eggs: Add scrambled eggs to turn this into a hearty breakfast option. The eggs blend seamlessly with the traditional fajita flavors.
- Cheesy Chicken Fajitas: Sprinkle your fajitas with plenty of cheese for a gooey, cheesy delight. It’s a simple addition that adds a whole new dimension of flavor.
These variations cater to different dietary needs and preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy the classic taste of chicken fajitas in their own unique way.
How To Make Chicken Fajitas
- Cook the Chicken: Start by melting butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook them for about 6 minutes, ensuring they are cooked thoroughly. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate, cover, and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a bit more butter or a drizzle of olive oil if needed. Then, cook the onions and peppers until they soften and become fragrant.
- Assemble the Fajitas: Take a warm tortilla and lay the sliced chicken in the center. Top with the sautéed vegetables. Feel free to add cheese or slices of avocado for extra richness.
Pro Tip For Enhanced Flavor: While a minimal seasoning approach works well for the chicken, you can elevate the flavor profile with some simple additions. Try a squeeze of lime juice, a pinch of dried oregano, or ground cumin. For a bit of heat, add chopped jalapeños to the chicken or vegetables. These small touches can personalize the fajitas to suit your flavor preferences.
Consider trying sheet pan chicken fajitas for an even more streamlined cooking method. This approach involves baking both the chicken and vegetables together on a single sheet pan. For detailed instructions on how to perfect this technique, refer to our Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe, which outlines the process step-by-step. This method is not only efficient but also ensures even cooking and flavorful results.
Expert Tips
- Separate Cooking: For the best texture and flavor, cook the chicken and vegetables separately. This method ensures that each component is cooked to perfection.
- Pepper Variety: Feel free to use any combination of bell peppers that you like. Add more for a more vibrant and colorful dish.
- Uniform Slicing: Cut the onions and peppers into roughly equal sizes. This uniformity helps them cook evenly and at the same pace.
- Simple Seasoning: A few key ingredients like jalapeños, lime juice, and extra garlic can greatly enhance the flavor. You don’t need a lot of fancy spices to make these fajitas stand out.
- Pineapple Addition: For a unique twist, add small chunks of pineapple to your fajitas. It brings a delightful sweetness and freshness to the dish.
What To Serve With Chicken Fajitas
When planning the perfect accompaniments to chicken fajitas, consider these flavorful and complementary options:
- Spanish Rice: The robust flavors of Spanish Rice, with its tomato and garlic notes, make it an ideal hearty companion to fajitas.
- Guacamole: A dollop of creamy guacamole adds a cool and rich dimension, perfectly complementing the spicy fajitas.
- Avocado Salad: A light and refreshing avocado salad, with its creamy texture and fresh ingredients, is a healthful and tasty side.
- In a Lettuce Wrap: For a low-carb option, wrap your fajitas in crisp lettuce leaves, adding a refreshing crunch.
- As a Fajita Bowl: Skip the tortillas and serve your fajitas in a bowl over rice, salad greens, or quinoa for a hearty and wholesome meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make these chicken fajitas gluten-free, simply use gluten-free tortillas or opt for a lettuce wrap. Most of the other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.
Chicken fajitas are incredibly versatile. Consider adding mushrooms for an earthy flavor, zucchini for a bit of crunch, or even corn for sweetness. These additions can bring new dimensions of flavor and texture to your dish.
The cooking time for chicken depends on its thickness. Generally, it takes about 5-7 minutes to cook thinly sliced chicken thoroughly. Always ensure the chicken is no longer pink in the middle and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Store leftover chicken fajitas in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For reheating, it’s best to use a stove over medium heat to maintain the texture of the chicken and vegetables. You can also use a microwave in short intervals.
Definitely! Prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and when you’re ready to eat, reheat and assemble your fajitas. It’s a great way to save time on busy days.
For the best results, warm your tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side. This method brings out their flavor and makes them more pliable. Alternatively, you can wrap them in foil and warm them in the oven.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this chicken fajita recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
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If you’ve tried this chicken fajita recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Chicken Fajitas For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast , cut into ½-inch strips
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt , divided
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper , divided
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small onion , peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ small red or green bell pepper , seeded and cut into thin strips
- 2 (8-inch) flour tortillas
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Heat your skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter for about 30 seconds.
- Season and Cook Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken pieces with ⅛ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 6 minutes, or until it's fully cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate, cover it, and set it aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add a bit of olive oil to the same skillet. Toss in the onions and peppers, and season with the remaining salt and pepper. Cook while stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
- Combine Chicken and Vegetables: Return the chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir everything together for about 1 minute to heat through. Then, spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture onto the warm tortillas.
- Serve: Your Chicken Fajitas are ready to be enjoyed immediately!
Notes
-
- Separate Cooking: For the best texture and flavor, cook the chicken and vegetables separately. This method ensures that each component is cooked to perfection.
-
- Pepper Variety: Feel free to use any combination of bell peppers that you like. Add more for a more vibrant and colorful dish.
-
- Uniform Slicing: Cut the onions and peppers into roughly equal sizes. This uniformity helps them cook evenly and at the same pace.
-
- Simple Seasoning: A few key ingredients like jalapeños, lime juice, and extra garlic can greatly enhance the flavor. You don’t need a lot of fancy spices to make these fajitas stand out.
-
- Pineapple Addition: For a unique twist, add small chunks of pineapple to your fajitas. It brings a delightful sweetness and freshness to the dish.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
The 3 section white plate — where can it be purchased? I adore the presentation with the chicken and veggies.
I love that little plate too. I purchased it several years ago from a store called, Home Goods in Houston, Texas.
Two favorites are the chicken or beef fajitas. Easy to make and just a few ingredients.
Love your cookbook.
After 6 kids and a late husband, I have had a difficult time cooking for 1 until I found your
website. All the recipes I have tried have been awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Hi,
Can I make the Chicken Fajitas without the Bell pepper?
I am highly allergic to them and I stop breathing.
Yes, leave out the peppers and add more onions, if you’d like.
Having lost my husband last June, I’m struggling with how to cook for one, yet still eat things I like. I found this recipe today and made it this evening. It was simple and delicious. I’ll be adding it to my menu rotation for the future.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Karen. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the fajitas.
Great idea – I have never actually made fajitas at home, so this will get me started.
These look so good. A simple and easy recipe with great flavors.
Yum! Who says you can’t cook for one. This is easy and really good.
Thanks, Krissy – certainly not me 😉
This would be a great dinner idea for an evening when my daughter is with her dad. Looks delicious! 🙂
These sound great either way, but definitely want to try them as lettuce wraps!