Quick Skillet Chicken Fajitas
A fast, flavorful, and easy skillet chicken fajitas recipe ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and packed with smoky, spicy seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
- Optional toppings: sliced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa
Instructions
- Thinly slice chicken breasts into ¼ inch strips. Slice bell peppers and onion into thin strips. Mince garlic cloves.
- In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add sliced chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Sprinkle seasoning evenly over the chicken. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to sear, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Break apart any sticking pieces with a spatula.
- Push chicken to one side of the skillet. Add another tablespoon of oil if needed. Add sliced onions and peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp with caramelized edges. Add minced garlic during the last minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Stir chicken and vegetables together. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and toss to coat. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped cilantro if desired.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp towel.
- Serve immediately by spooning chicken fajita mixture onto warm tortillas and adding desired toppings.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the chicken. Preheat skillet properly for a good sear. Thin slicing ensures even cooking. Add lime juice at the end for brightness. Garlic burns easily, add it last minute. For gluten-free, use corn tortillas. Fresh ground cumin enhances flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving equals app
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken fajitas, quick dinner, skillet recipe, easy fajitas, weeknight meal, Mexican food, healthy chicken recipe