JUST IN TIME FOR CINCO DE MAYO! SUPER-EASY SHEET PAN CHICKEN FAJITAS WILL MAKE ONE OF YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE MEALS A BREEZE!
As a child, growing up in the 70’s in the MidWest had its culinary challenges. For instance, I was probably 6 when we got our first McDonald’s. Crazy, right? (29-cent burgers!) And Taco Bell? Well, we probably had to wait an additional 5 years for that one. Some time before we had our first tacos, our Aunt introduced us to Taco Salad. This Aunt, who has been a Religious Sister since the age of 14 – times were different then – was one of our favorite aunts.
Sister Rita Marie is my Dad’s sister, and is ALWAYS kind, cheerful, and truly she has more energy than just about everyone else in the room combined. She concocted a Taco Salad that each of us salad-hating children absolutely loved and insisted Mom learn how to make. To this day, even at age 85, she still safely(!) drives her fellow sisters to places they need to go. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes them Taco Salad, too.
That Taco Salad, of course, was the beginning of my love for all things Tex-Mex. Now, when I make tacos for my family, I like to make them in fajita form. Truth be told, it’s so they can get some vegetables along with the meat, tortilla and cheese. And, no, a half teaspoon of onions and a dollop of salsa is not quite a full serving of vegetables. Sorry.
But I recently discovered Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas! I can’t believe how tasty and awesomely easy these are! And I know fajitas are supposed to be grilled but the Sheet Pan is just so convenient and time-saving! No trying to fit all of the chicken strips and veg into a saute pan, or cooking one at a time. You can fit fajitas for 4-6 people on a single sheet tray, and cook them in 23 minutes flat! While you wait for them to get done, you have time to prep any toppings you may want, set the table, and toss your tortillas in the oven or microwave. Maybe make a Margarita. 😉
Recipe Details
This is a pretty flexible recipe. I used large bell peppers, and cut them into relatively thin strips in order to make them tender over a short cooking time. Same for the chicken strips. The package of chicken breasts I bought was 1.25 lb, but you could use as little as 1 lb if you like.
A drizzle of olive oil, and sprinkle of the not-too-spicy chili powder based mixture provides lots of flavor without too much heat. You likely have all of the ingredients in your spice drawer, too. If you like your food more spicy, feel free to up the cayenne pepper to 1/2 teaspoon. A little brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness.
Spread the chicken and veggie mixture over a sheet pan, roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes. During that time, warm your tortillas and prep any other toppings you want, and dinner is ready.
This recipe easily serves 4-6 people and makes 12-16 fajita tacos.
I certainly thank Sr. Rita Marie for introducing us all to her fantastic Taco Salad, and have to believe her culinary journey has led her to the joy of Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas as well!
Enjoy!
Another great Cinco de Mayo dish is this Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa or this Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup with Nachos!
For more sheet pan dinner ideas, take a look at my Curried Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Grapes, or my Sheet Pan Rhubarb Chicken.
PIN Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas ->
PrintSheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Flavorful Fajitas with less mess than stovetop – just coat with spices and spread over a sheetpan, cooking for 20-25 minutes.
While they cook, you can get all the toppings you wish together and heat the tortillas.
You may never cook fajitas stovetop again!
- Prep Time: 10-15 mins
- Cook Time: 20-25 mins
- Total Time: 30-40 mins
- Yield: 12–16 Fajitas 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
For the Spice Rub:
- 1 T Chili Powder, any type
- 2 t Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 t Kosher Salt
- 1 t Paprika or Smoked Paprika
- 1 t Cumin
- 1/2 t Onion Powder
- 1/2 t Garlic Powder
- 1/4 t Cayenne Pepper
For the Fajitas
- 3 T Olive Oil (or other neutral oil)
- 1–1 1/4 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Red, Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1/2 large Onion, any color
- 16 Corn or Flour Tortillas
Toppings (Optional)
- Refried Beans, Shredded Cheese, Salsa, Guacamole, Cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F (Conventional), or 375F for Convection (fan).
- Mix together all of the ingredients for the spice rub in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cut the Onion into thin slices, then cut slices in half (half-moons), and separate.
- Cut the Bell peppers by slicing off the top and bottom of the pepper, removing seeds and stems and slicing the body of the pepper into batons about 1/3 of an inch thick and 2-3 inches long, placing them, along with the onion slices, into a large bowl.
- Slice the chicken breast into thin strips, about 1/2 inch wide and 1/2 inch thick. Place in the bowl with the sliced peppers and onion.
- Drizzle the contents of the bowl with the 3 T oil, then sprinkle and mix in the spice mixture, stirring with a large spoon or using your hand until all pieces are evenly coated.
- Spread the coated ingredients over the surface of a. 12×18 sheet pan.
- Roast in the preheated oven until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are softened, 20-25 minutes. I removed mine at 23 minutes and they were cooked perfectly.
- Serve on warm tortillas with any toppings you desire.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/14 Recipe
Keywords: Sheet Pan, Chicken, Fajitas, Easy
mimi rippee says
okay, I’m actually surprised I’m here… Certain things put me off in the culinary world. Like tray bakes and bowls and sheet pans… even though once I get over my stubbornness they all win me over… like pesto and sun-dried tomato everything in the mid-80’s!!! In any case, Laura, this is brilliant. For so many reasons!!! I cannot wait to do this!!! Thank you from the bottom of my stubborn heart!
Laura says
Thanks, Mimi! Hope you get the chance to try it! The ease is so worth it!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Laura, these sheet pan fajitas look fantastic! Not only is it so much easier to make, but you also get all those wonderful roasted peppers and onions. YUM!
★★★★★
Laura says
Thanks, Kelly! Yes! I think the caramellized onions and roasted peppers are perfect on the sheet Pan!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
LOVE a sheet pan meal! And anything tex-mex is my favorite so I have to try this one. And your aunt’s taco salad sounds delicious too! (Now I’m really hungry, haha!)
★★★★★
Laura says
Thanks, Kelsie! Hope you get the chance to try these yummy fajitas! Thanks for visiting!
Kim Lange says
Bring on the delicious fajitas! Definitely a family favorite and easy to make — well worth it!!
Laura says
Thanks, Kim! I love fajitas any day of the year, and this easy version is my new favorite!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
We LOVE sheet pan dinners in our home so I know this one would go over so well! Plus, who doesn’t love easy clean up 😉 Hope you’re having a great week so far!!
★★★★★
Laura says
Thanks, Dawn! I agree, Sheet Pan meals are wonderful!
Jeff the Chef says
You’ve really got me hungry for fajitas! Beautiful.
Laura says
Thanks, Jeff! I’m always hungry for fajitas, especially when they are so easy to make! Thanks for visiting!
David @ Spiced says
Oh man, I love a good fajita recipe! And the fact that this one can be made all on one sheet pan? Perfect! You nailed it that the extra time can be used for whipping up a batch of yummy margaritas, too. We haven’t made fajitas in a while, and I totally need to put this one on the menu soon! Thanks to Sister Rita Marie for the inspiration! 🙂
★★★★★
Laura says
Thanks, David! Whenever I have something on the stove, I feel like I need to constantly watch and stir, so the Sheet Pan definitely provides some guacamole-making and margarita-perfecting time!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Chicken fajitas are one of the few things that my picky little boys will actually devour. They love peppers! It’s great that you’ve turned this into a sheet pan meal. It makes life much easier!! Happy Cinco de Mayo, Laura!
Laura says
That’s what’s so great about Sheet Pan meals, isn’t it? I love the easier cleanup. No messy stove! Thanks for visiting, Katherine!
Ron says
obs! I forgot to rate this one.
★★★★★
Laura says
Thanks so much, Ron!
Ron says
Laura, I remember when you could buy a cheeseburger at Micky Ds for 19 cents. Humm, I think I just gave my age away.
Tex-Mex food is missed living here as we have not a decent Mexican joint within thousands of miles. Luckily we often cook Tex-Mex at home and your chicken sheet pan fajitas will fit right in our menu. Thanks for sharing.
Laura says
Thanks, Ron! Glad you love Tex-Mex as much as we do! I’ve been loving Sheet Pan meals for a while now. Hope you get the chance to try these fajitas!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
That certainly is easy…23 minutes and a lot of goodness.
Laura says
Yes, indeed, Karen! High flavor per minute rate here. That’s what I love! Thanks for your visit!
Ros @ ZenHealth says
Yum!! You make it sound so easy and delicious! Added to the weekend recipe list 🙂
Laura says
Thanks, Ros! It is easy and it is delicious – hope you get the chance to try it out! Thanks for visiting!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
I love sheet pan dinners and this is perfect for Cinco de Mayo! Pinning!!
Laura says
Thanks, Kelly! I love a sheet pan dinner, too! Especially when it’s so tasty! Thanks for visiting!
2pots2cook says
LOL … Just made the same dish to publish soon 🙂 Great minds think alike, don’t they ? hahahahaha
★★★★★
Laura says
I completely agree, Davorka! Great minds DO think alike! Can’t wait to see your version!