Fabulous Chicken Fajitas: Quick, Healthy & Delicious for Busy Weeknights

When it comes to healthy eating that doesn’t feel like a chore, nothing beats a vibrant and flavorful meal that’s also incredibly easy to prepare. This recipe for chicken fajitas is exactly that – a perfect blend of lean protein, an abundance of fresh vegetables, and irresistible flavor. We love loading these colorful fajitas onto warm, whole wheat tortillas. The whole wheat option not only adds a delightful chewiness but also boosts the fiber content, making it a more satisfying and nutritious dinner. What truly amazed me was how much my boys, who are usually experts at meticulously picking out any visible peppers, absolutely LOVED this dish! They ate all their vegetables without a single complaint, which, as any parent knows, is a monumental victory.

The chicken in this recipe turns out wonderfully tender and infused with an incredible flavor, making every bite a delight. But perhaps the absolute best part about these fajitas is how EASY they are to make. The magic truly begins with a simple, yet incredibly effective, marinade. You can whip it up in minutes before you even head out the door for work or other daily activities. This allows the chicken to soak up all those delicious flavors, tenderizing it beautifully while you’re away. Then, when you finally get home, tired but hungry, all you need to do is quickly cook the marinated chicken and some thinly sliced vegetables in a hot skillet. Serve it all up as soon as it’s cooked, and you have a fantastically tasty, filling, and incredibly good-for-you meal ready in a flash!

Why Chicken Fajitas are a Weeknight Winner

Fajitas are a classic Tex-Mex dish that originated in the ranches of South Texas, traditionally made with grilled skirt steak. Over time, chicken, shrimp, and even vegetarian options have become popular variations. What makes fajitas such a universally loved meal? It’s the sizzling presentation, the vibrant colors, the medley of textures, and the customizable nature that appeals to everyone at the table. Our recipe embraces this spirit while focusing on health and convenience, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you still want to serve a wholesome, home-cooked meal.

The Secret to Tender Chicken: A Simple Marinade

The marinade is the heart of our Fabulous Chicken Fajitas. It’s not just about flavor; it’s also about tenderizing the chicken and ensuring it cooks up juicy and delicious. The combination of cornstarch, lemon or lime juice, and a blend of spices works wonders. Cornstarch creates a protective coating that locks in moisture, resulting in incredibly tender chicken strips. The citrus juice adds a bright, tangy note and also helps to break down the chicken fibers, further enhancing its tenderness. Garlic powder, seasoned salt, pepper, and oregano infuse the chicken with that signature savory, aromatic fajita flavor.

The beauty of this marinade is its flexibility. You can prepare it first thing in the morning and let the chicken marinate for up to eight hours, allowing the flavors to truly penetrate. But even if you’re short on time, a quick two-hour marinade will still yield fantastic results. This makes it a perfect meal prep component – get the chicken marinating, and half your dinner is already taken care of!

Packed with Powerhouse Veggies

Beyond the flavorful chicken, these fajitas are bursting with nutrient-rich vegetables. Bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes are not just for color and crunch; they bring a host of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your plate. Red and green bell peppers are excellent sources of Vitamin C and A, while onions add a pungent sweetness and beneficial compounds. Fresh tomatoes provide lycopene and a juicy texture that complements the other ingredients perfectly. The quick sautéing method ensures the vegetables retain a crisp-tender bite, preserving their nutritional value and fresh flavor.

Don’t be afraid to customize your veggie selection! While bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes are traditional, feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or even corn. The more colorful your fajitas, the more appealing and nutrient-dense they’ll be!

FABULOUS CHICKEN FAJITAS:

Printable Version HERE

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon or lime juice
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. Lawry’s (or any brand) seasoned salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Instructions for Marinade:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chicken strips with cornstarch, lemon or lime juice, garlic powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, and oregano. Toss well to ensure all the chicken is evenly coated.
2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness. This simple step makes a huge difference!

For Cooking & Assembly:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
• 1 cup red and/or green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 cup yellow or white onion, sliced into thin strips
• 1 cup fresh tomato, sliced into thin strips
• 1/2 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference)
• Warm whole wheat or flour tortillas, for serving
• Optional toppings: additional salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, fresh cilantro, lime wedges

Cooking Instructions:

2. In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
3. Add the marinated chicken strips (discarding any remaining marinade in the bowl) to the hot skillet. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is just cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet. Continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are crisp-tender. You want them to retain a slight bite, not become overly soft.
5. Stir in the sliced tomato and salsa. Simmer for just one minute longer, allowing all the flavors to meld and ensuring everything is heated through.
6. Serve immediately in warmed whole wheat or flour tortillas. Offer a variety of your favorite toppings such as extra salsa, a dollop of cool sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, creamy guacamole, or fresh cilantro.

ENJOY this incredibly flavorful and easy meal!

Tips for the Best Fajitas

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the chicken and veggies in batches ensures they sear properly instead of steaming, leading to better flavor and texture.
• High Heat is Key: Fajitas are meant to be cooked quickly over medium-high heat to get that characteristic sizzle and slightly charred edges on the vegetables.
• Warm Your Tortillas: Warming tortillas makes them pliable and prevents them from breaking when folded. You can warm them in a dry skillet, microwave, or wrapped in foil in the oven.
• Customize Your Spices: Feel free to adjust the spice levels. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder if you like more heat.
• Fresh Ingredients Matter: Using fresh lemon or lime juice and ripe vegetables will significantly enhance the overall taste.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

While classic chicken fajitas with traditional toppings are always a hit, don’t hesitate to get creative:

• Protein Swaps: This marinade and cooking method works beautifully with other proteins. Try it with thin strips of steak (flank or skirt steak are excellent for fajitas), shrimp, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
• Extra Veggies: Boost the vegetable content by adding sliced zucchini, mushrooms, corn kernels, or even thin strips of carrots alongside the peppers and onions.
• Beyond Tortillas: If you’re looking to reduce carbs, serve your fajita mixture in lettuce cups for a fresh, crunchy wrap. It’s also delicious over a bed of cilantro-lime rice or quinoa.
• Topping Bar: Set up a “fajita bar” with an array of toppings like different salsas (pico de gallo, corn salsa), shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeños, crumbled cotija cheese, and hot sauce. This allows everyone to customize their plate to their liking.

Meal Prep and Storage

This recipe is excellent for meal prepping!

• Marinade Ahead: As mentioned, you can marinate the chicken in the morning or even the night before.
• Pre-Chop Veggies: Slice all your bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes ahead of time and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This cuts down on weeknight cooking time significantly.
• Leftovers: Cooked fajita filling stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s perfect for a quick lunch the next day!
• Reheating: Reheat the fajita mixture gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.