Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe

When life gets busy, nothing beats a one-pan meal that’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor! Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are a fantastic choice for those hectic weeknights when you want a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all seasoned with smoky spices, creating a fiesta of flavors that’s both satisfying and healthy.

How to Make Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This recipe is all about simplicity and efficiency—just what you need for a busy weeknight. Let’s break down the steps.

1. Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats up, prepare your ingredients so that you can pop everything into the oven with minimal fuss.

2. Slice the Chicken and Vegetables

1. Slice the Chicken: Cut your chicken breasts into thin strips about 1/2-inch wide. This ensures the chicken cooks quickly and evenly.
2. Prep the Vegetables: Slice your bell peppers and onion into strips that match the size of the chicken. Uniform slices are essential so everything cooks at the same rate.

3. Make the Fajita Seasoning

Combine the following spices in a small bowl for a homemade fajita seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

4. Toss Everything Together

1. Add to a Large Mixing Bowl: Place the sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onion in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add Olive Oil and Seasoning: Drizzle about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over the ingredients, then sprinkle on the fajita seasoning mix. Toss everything together until the chicken and veggies are fully coated in the seasoning.

5. Arrange on a Sheet Pan

Spread the seasoned chicken and vegetables out evenly on a large sheet pan. Make sure everything is in a single layer to allow for even cooking and to avoid steaming.

6. Bake

Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked (165°F internal temperature) and the vegetables tender with a slight char.

7. Broil for Extra Char (Optional)

For those crispy, charred edges, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. This step enhances the flavor and gives the fajitas a grilled appearance.

Serving Suggestions for Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Once your sheet pan fajitas are ready, there are multiple ways to serve and enjoy them!

Classic Fajita Tacos

Warm up some flour or corn tortillas, and fill them with the chicken and vegetable mix. Top with a squeeze of lime juice, some chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for the classic fajita experience.

Low-Carb or Keto Option

For a low-carb option, serve the chicken and vegetables in large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas. Romaine or butter lettuce makes a great wrap that’s keto-friendly and just as delicious!

Fajita Bowls

Layer your chicken and veggies over a bowl of cauliflower rice or Mexican-style rice. Add toppings like guacamole, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and jalapeños for a customizable fajita bowl.

Meal Prep Option

Divide the cooked fajitas into meal prep containers for an easy lunch or dinner throughout the week. This recipe stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Tips for Perfect Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Use High-Quality Spices

For the best flavor, use fresh spices. The smokiness from paprika and heat from chili powder make a difference in giving your fajitas that authentic taste.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

If you have too much chicken and veggies for one pan, split them between two pans. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting, and you’ll miss out on the caramelized flavor that makes these fajitas so delicious.

Customize the Heat Level

Control the spice level by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper in the seasoning mix. You can also add extra cayenne or hot sauce for more heat, or skip it if you prefer a milder dish.

Make It Ahead

The chicken and vegetables can be prepped and marinated in the seasoning up to 24 hours in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and then spread on the sheet pan when ready to bake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Use Pre-Made Fajita Seasoning?

Absolutely! If you’re in a hurry or already have fajita seasoning on hand, feel free to use it. Just check the label to make sure there aren’t added sugars if you’re following a low-carb diet.

2. Can I Make This Recipe with Beef or Shrimp?

Yes, you can! Beef strips or shrimp are fantastic substitutes for chicken in fajitas. Just adjust the cooking time as shrimp, for example, will cook faster.

3. How Do I Store Leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for the best results.

4. What Toppings Go Well with Chicken Fajitas?

Popular toppings include sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños. Feel free to add your favorites!

5. Can I Make This Dish Spicy?

Yes, add extra cayenne pepper, sliced jalapeños, or a drizzle of hot sauce to increase the spice level to your liking.

Yield: 4

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas Recipe

Print

When life gets busy, nothing beats a one-pan meal that’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor! Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are a fantastic choice for those hectic weeknights when you want a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all seasoned with smoky spices, creating a fiesta of flavors that’s both satisfying and healthy.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh lime, cut into wedges
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
• Warm tortillas, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onion. Drizzle with olive oil.
3. Season the Chicken and Vegetables: In a small bowl, mix the chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and vegetables. Toss everything together until well coated.
4. Bake: Spread the seasoned chicken and vegetables evenly on the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, stirring halfway through cooking.
5. Serve: Remove from the oven, and squeeze fresh lime juice over the fajitas. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve hot with warm tortillas and additional lime wedges.

Notes

Additional Toppings: Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or shredded cheese for extra flavor.

Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños for extra heat.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the oven.