Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

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One sheet pan is all you'll need to whip up these chicken fajitas. They're quick and easy to make, and cleanup is even faster!

Angled view of a plate of Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe
Credit:

Photography: Carson Downing, Food: Holly Dreesman, Props: Gabe Greco

Active Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
  • These fajitas are simple to prepare and require minimal cleanup since they are made on just one pan
  • Chicken is a rich source of protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance, and it contains choline for brain health.
  • Slicing the chicken against the grain makes it tender and allows more flavor to penetrate the meat.

Our Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas are your ticket to a quick, delicious anytime meal that checks all the boxes on nutrition and flavor. Lean chicken breasts are seasoned to perfection and roasted with sweet, antioxidant-rich bell peppers and onions—you won't believe how moist the chicken stays. Pile on the nutrients by adding diced avocado for healthy fats, pico de gallo for vitamin C and shredded lettuce for hydration and crunch. Keep reading for our expert tips on cooking technique, variations and more.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To ensure the chicken is tender and easy to chew, slice it against the grain. This method breaks through the muscle fibers, allowing flavor to penetrate the meat more effectively.
  • For optimal results, cut the chicken and vegetables into bite-sized pieces so the ingredients cook consistently. Plus, the fajitas will be easier to eat, and you'll get a variety of flavors in each bite.
  • If you prefer not to use corn tortillas, you can enjoy the ingredients as a salad instead.
  • We kept the seasoning simple, but feel free to use your favorite fajita seasoning.

Nutrition Notes

  • Choose boneless, skinless chicken breast for a no-fuss, time-saving lean protein. Chicken is lauded for being an excellent source of protein for muscle maintenance, but the nutrition doesn't stop there. It also contains electrolytes potassium and magnesium and is a source of choline, which is important for brain health.
  • Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, with more than citrus fruit, and potassium, which can help to reduce blood pressure. Yellow, orange and red bell peppers also have beta-carotene—an antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation in the body.
  • Onions are often regarded as a flavoring agent in dishes, but they are also packed with beneficial nutrients. Onions contain prebiotic fiber, which helps feed the good bacteria in the gut, keeping the microbiome healthy. They also have antioxidants that protect against cell damage and the development of cancer.

How to Make Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

This sheet-pan chicken fajita recipe delivers on flavor while keeping prep and cleanup to a minimum. Here's how you make it, plus a few ways to jazz it up:

Spice Up Your Chicken

This fajita recipe starts with thinly sliced chicken tossed in a flavorful combination of chili powder, cumin and garlic powder. The chicken is tossed with olive oil to give it that signature sizzle when it comes out of the oven. Be sure to slice your chicken into equal-size strips so it cooks evenly.

First Roast, Then Broil

Your chicken and veggies all cook together in the oven. You'll start by roasting them, which jump-starts the cooking process. After 15 minutes, switch the oven to broil to finish them off. Why broil? Think of broiling as upside-down grilling. Broiling delivers intense heat in spots that give the veggies and chicken that classic charred look and flavor. To get the best results, make sure your chicken and veggies are spread out in an even layer on the sheet pan.

Variations to Try

This sheet pan fajita recipe is easy to adapt to your own taste. If you like the heat, add some cayenne to the spice mix or swap out a bell pepper for a poblano pepper. Chicken thighs can stand in for chicken breast, as can thinly sliced steak or shrimp. Note: If you're using shrimp or steak in place of chicken, they will take less time to cook. Start the veggies on the pan first and add the steak or shrimp after the veggies have been cooking for about 10 minutes.

Overhead view of the ingredients for Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe arranged on a countertop

Photography: Carson Downing, Food: Holly Dreesman, Props: Gabe Greco

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • 1 large red bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced

  • 2 cups sliced red or yellow onion (about 1 large)

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 8 corn tortillas, warmed

  • Lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, avocado and/or pico de gallo for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

  2. Cut 1 pound of chicken breasts in half horizontally, then slice crosswise into strips. Combine 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and ¾ teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat with the spice mixture. Add bell peppers and 2 cups onion and stir to combine. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to the prepared baking sheet and spread in an even layer.

    Overhead view of a sheet pan of Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe

    Photography: Carson Downing, Food: Holly Dreesman, Props: Gabe Greco

  3. Roast on the middle rack for 15 minutes. Leave the pan there and turn the broiler to high. Broil until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are browning in spots, about 5 minutes more. Remove from oven. Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice.

    Overhead view of hands stirring ingredients on a sheet pan for Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe

    Photography: Carson Downing, Food: Holly Dreesman, Props: Gabe Greco

  4. Serve the chicken and vegetables in 8 warmed tortillas accompanied by lime wedges and topped with cilantro, sour cream, avocado and/or pico de gallo, if desired.

To make ahead

Season raw chicken and vegetables, then store in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, proceed with cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

    Absolutely. Chicken thighs have more fat so they tend not to dry out as quickly as chicken breasts—they're a great option. You may need to increase the cooking time a little if you decide to use them.

  • Can I cook raw chicken and vegetables on the same pan?

    It's safe to cook both on the same pan because any bacteria in the chicken will be killed in the high heat as the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Leftovers can be stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Then, assemble them when you're ready. Of course, the quickest way to reheat everything is in the microwave, but the chicken may end up dried out and tough. We would suggest covering the leftovers with aluminum foil and warming them in a 325°F oven.


  • What should I serve with Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas?

    Rice is the obvious choice, and we have several recipes that pair perfectly with fajitas. Try our Nina's Mexican Rice, Mexican Cauliflower Rice or Easy Cilantro-Lime Rice. With every meal, there's always room for a salad. Try our Southwestern Salad with Black Beans, Guacamole Chopped Salad or Simple Green Salad with Citronette. Depending on the season, you may also consider pairing this meal with a chilled gazpacho, such as our Watermelon Gazpacho or Herby White Gazpacho.


EatingWell.com, April 2017

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

357 Calories
12g Fat
33g Carbs
30g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 2 fajitas per person
Calories 357
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 30g 60%
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Vitamin A 2013IU 40%
Vitamin C 142mg 157%
Folate 52mcg 13%
Sodium 573mg 25%
Calcium 76mg 6%
Iron 2mg 12%
Magnesium 85mg 20%
Potassium 761mg 16%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.