Chicken Fajita Tacos

What Are Fajita Tacos

Fajita tacos are simply fajitas served up in taco form. Fajitas are typically presented like a build-your-own-taco platter with a sizzling skillet of meat and veggies, soft tortillas and toppings all laid out separately. So instead, we are going to put them together and serve them up as tacos that you can just grab and eat!

This fajita taco recipe features pan-seared chicken that has been seasoned with a flavorful homemade fajita seasoning, loads of colorful fajita veggies and all your favorite toppings. It’s all served up in soft or hard taco shells (your choice!) so you can just dig in and eat! You’re going to love this recipe!

Here’s Why You’ll Love Them

• Easy to make: This is a 30-minute meal cooked in one pan – what’s not to love!
• Perfect for weeknights: An easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
• A crowd pleaser: Great for casual entertaining, taco night or Cinco de Mayo.
• Delicious chicken recipe: Such a yummy way to use chicken breasts. If you are looking for more chicken recipe ideas, then check out these Grilled Tandoori Chicken Kebabs, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas or this Chicken Macaroni Salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You will need the following ingredients to make these chicken fajita tacos…

• Chicken Breasts: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs if you prefer).
• Fajita Seasoning: This homemade fajita seasoning is a blend of six spices: chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, onion powder and garlic powder. A bit of cayenne pepper is an optional ingredient if you like a little extra heat.
• Avocado Oil: For searing the chicken breasts and sautéing the veggies. I like to use avocado oil since it is a healthy oil with a neutral taste and high smoke point.
• Veggies: Sliced bell peppers and onion to make the fajita veggies. I like to use a variety of different colored peppers since it’s prettier. I tend to use a white onion in this but red or yellow is fine too!
• Dried Oregano: Gets added to the veggies for extra flavor.
• Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright, fresh pop of flavor.
• Taco Shells: Either soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells – whatever you like!
• Toppings: I like to top these with shredded cheese, salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce and some lime wedges on the side.

Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.

Special Equipment

• Cast Iron Skillet: A hot cast iron skillet is ideal for searing the chicken breasts and cooking fajita veggies so that they are tender crisp and slightly charred in spots.
• Instant Read Cooking Thermometer: An instant read thermometer is the best way to achieve perfectly seared chicken breasts. Takes the guess work out!

How To Make Chicken Fajita Tacos

Taco time! Let’s make some easy and delicious chicken fajita tacos!

STEP 1: Mix together fajita seasoning

In a small bowl, combine all the fajita seasoning ingredients. Make sure to set aside 1 teaspoon of the mixture to season the veggies later. The rest will be used as a dry rub for the chicken breasts.

Chili Powder Note: Just a friendly warning to my international friends that the chili powder used in the fajita seasoning refers to the American style chili powder which is a blend and not very spicy. It is NOT simply ground up chili peppers. Your mouth will be on fire if you mix them up!

STEP 2: Season the chicken

Sprinkle the fajita seasoning on both sides of the chicken breasts (except for the teaspoon that was set aside). Use your hands to rub it all over the chicken and press it in.

STEP 3: Cook the chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165F (about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness). Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.

Use a thermometer! The best way to achieve perfectly cooked chicken breasts is to use an instant read cooking thermometer. It takes the guess work out! The Thermapen is my favorite and gets used often in my kitchen.

STEP 4: Sauté the fajita veggies

Add another tablespoon of oil to the same skillet. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Sauté while stirring frequently until veggies are tender crisp and slightly charred in spots. This will take about 5 minutes (or longer if you prefer softer fajita veggies). Once the veggies are almost done, stir through the fajita seasoning that was set aside, dried oregano and some salt and pepper to taste (if needed).

STEP 5: Cut up chicken

Slice, dice or chop up the cooked chicken breasts into small pieces. Squeeze some fresh lime juice over the cut up chicken.

STEP 6: Assemble the tacos

Take your warmed soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells and fill with the cut up chicken, fajita veggies and your favorite toppings. Time to dig in and enjoy!

Prep Ahead Tips

With a few minutes of advance prep work, these chicken fajita tacos become a super quick dinner. Simply pre-slice the veggies and mix together the fajita seasoning in advance.

I actually like to keep a big batch of the homemade fajita seasoning stored in a jar so that it is ready to use any time I want to make fajitas or these tacos. For this recipe, you need to measure out 1 teaspoon for the veggies and about 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons for the chicken.

Storing Leftovers

Transfer leftover chicken and fajita veggies to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet until warmed through.

Possible Variations

This recipe is easy to customize. Here are a few ideas:

• Replace chicken breasts: Substitute the chicken breasts for chicken thighs or a different type of meat like steak, pork or even shrimp.
• Make it vegetarian: Swap out the chicken for tofu, portobello or king oyster mushrooms or use this halloumi fajita filling.
• Grill them: This is a great option in the summer! Instead of using a cast iron skillet, grill the chicken breasts and veggies on the BBQ
• Marinate the chicken: Turn the fajita seasoning into a marinade (instructions here), rub all over the chicken, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Serve it up in different ways: Serve in soft flour or corn tortillas, crunchy taco shells, lettuce cups or make a rice bowl by serving it over rice.

A Few Questions Answered

What To Serve With Them

For a weeknight meal, I usually serve these fajita tacos on their own since they already include veggies and chicken in them. For entertaining or to bulk out the meal more, you can also serve a few sides with them.

Some side dishes that would pair well include: Mexican rice, salads, tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole and corn on the cob. And let’s not forget the margaritas! Wash them down with a Passion Fruit Margarita or one of these Triple Citrus Frozen Margaritas!

More Tex-Mex Recipes To Try

• Halloumi Fajitas
• Cheesy Shredded Chicken Enchiladas
• Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (or try this vegan, nut-free version)

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