The Best Mexican Chicken Fajitas Recipe: Fajitas de Pollo
One of the most iconic and delectable Mexican dishes that you can prepare at home is fajitas de pollo, or chicken fajitas. With sautéed bell peppers and onions, juicy, marinated chicken is prepared and served on warm tortillas with your preferred toppings. This is a quick, easy, and excellent for any occasion meal that you can use for a Tex-Mex feast or for a weeknight dinner.
With the best marinade, cooking advice, and serving suggestions, I’ll walk you through the process of making authentic fajitas de pollo in this guide.
The Reasons You’ll Adore This Recipe
✔ Authentic Flavour – a deep, smokey taste created with traditional Mexican spices.
✔ Simple & Fast – After marinating, it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
✔ Healthy & Versatile – Low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and adaptable.
Family Favourite ✔ Ideal for both adults and children.
Fajitas de Pollo – Recipe Card
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| For the Chicken & Marinade: | |
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips) | 2 large |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Lime juice | 2 limes |
| Lime zest | 1 teaspoon |
| Chili powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Smoked paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Ground cumin | 1 teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Onion powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Black pepper | ¼ teaspoon |
| Cayenne pepper (optional) | ¼ teaspoon |
| Honey (optional) | 1 teaspoon |
| For the Fajita Vegetables: | |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Red bell pepper (sliced) | 1 |
| Green bell pepper (sliced) | 1 |
| Yellow bell pepper (sliced) | 1 |
| Small red onion (thinly sliced) | 1 |
| Garlic (minced) | 2 cloves |
| For Serving: | |
| Flour or corn tortillas | As needed |
| Guacamole or avocado slices | As needed |
| Sour cream or Greek yogurt | As needed |
| Salsa or pico de gallo | As needed |
| Fresh cilantro | As needed |
| Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or cotija) | As needed |
| Lime wedges | As needed |
Instructions
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a bowl or ziplock bag, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and honey. |
| 2 | Add the sliced chicken and coat well in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours. |
| 3 | Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken strips for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside. |
| 4 | In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add sliced bell peppers and onions and cook for 5-6 minutes until slightly charred. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. |
| 5 | Warm tortillas on a skillet for 30 seconds per side or microwave wrapped in a damp towel for 30 seconds. |
| 6 | Fill each tortilla with cooked chicken and sautéed vegetables. Add toppings like guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, and cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges. Enjoy! |
Storage & Reheating
| Method | Duration |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator (Cooked Fajitas, Airtight Container) | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer (Cooked Chicken Separately) | Up to 3 months |
| Reheating (Stovetop, Medium Heat) | 5 minutes |
| Reheating (Microwave – 30-second intervals) | 1-2 minutes |
🌮 Enjoy these delicious Fajitas de Pollo with all your favorite toppings! 🔥
For serving: –
Flour or corn tortillas – Guacamole or avocado slices – Sour cream or Greek yoghurt – Salsa or pico de gallo – Fresh cilantro – Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or cotija) – Lime wedges
Detailed Directions
The first step is to marinate the chicken.
1️⃣ Combine **olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chilli powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne (if employing), and honey in a *bowl or ziplock bag*.
2️⃣ Make sure the marinade completely coats the *sliced chicken* before adding it.
3️⃣ For a deeper flavour, cover and chill for up to 4 hours, although at least 30 minutes is recommended.
Cook the Chicken in Step Two
A large skillet or grill pan should be heated over medium-high heat.
5️⃣ Add marinated chicken strips and cook, stirring regularly, for 5-6 minutes until cooked through and faintly blackened.
6️⃣ Take the chicken out of the skillet and place it aside.
The third step is to sauté the vegetables.
7️⃣ Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat.
8️⃣ Stir in sliced bell peppers and onions until they are tender and beginning to caramelise, around 5 to 6 minutes.
9️⃣ Cook for an additional 30 seconds after adding minced garlic.
Step 4: Put Together & Serve 🔟 You may either wrap the tortillas in a wet cloth and microwave them for 30 seconds or reheat them on a skillet for 30 seconds per side.
Fill each tortilla with the cooked chicken and fajita vegetables.
1️⃣2️⃣ Top with your favourite toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole, and serve hot.
Differences & Replacements
Add extra cayenne, spicy sauce, or sliced jalapeños to make it spicier.
✔ Swap the Meat – Substitute portobello mushrooms, tofu, or shrimp.
✔ Dairy-Free – Use dairy-free substitutes or omit the cheese and sour cream.
To enhance the smoky flavour, incorporate adobo sauce or chilli powder into the marinade.
For the oven-baked version, roast everything for 20 minutes at 400°F on a sheet pan.
FAQs
Is it possible to prepare fajitas de pollo in advance?
Indeed! The chicken can be marinated up to 24 hours in advance. When ready to dine, reheat the cooked fajitas, which can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
2. How should chicken fajitas be prepared?
For optimal results, cook over high heat in a grill pan or cast-iron skillet. This gives the chicken and vegetables a light char for a real fajita taste.
3. Can I make the fajitas on a grill rather than in a skillet?
Definitely! Slice and serve the chicken after grilling it for 5 to 7 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.
4. Which type of tortillas are appropriate?
Corn tortillas or flour tortillas can be used. Corn tortillas provide a more genuine Mexican flavour, but flour tortillas are softer and more flexible.
5. Can I use fajita seasoning from the store?
yES Use 1 tablespoon of premade fajita seasoning in place of the individual spices if you’re pressed for time.
Concluding Reflections
The flavours of smoky, juicy, and vibrant are all well balanced in these Fajitas de Pollo. They are sure to be a hit whether you make them for a Tex-Mex fiesta or a simple weekday dinner.
🔥 Try this dish and share your thoughts with me!Enjoy a delicious, restaurant-style lunch at home by serving it with all of your favourite toppings. 🌮🔥🐔
