Here in Austin at least, you can’t really separate summertime meals from Tex-Mex. Many of us in the ATX happily live on tacos from May through August, whether tossed on the grill or picked up from a favorite spot. That said, summer is the time to keep it simple, so I love a Mexican recipe that is quick on prep and major on flavor. You too? Enter my five-ingredient sheet pan chicken fajitas.
Alongside my favorite summer meals—I count pasta al limone and grain salads among them—I’m always down for anything that puts classic Mexican flavors front and center. (The more spice and the zippier the bite, the better in my book.) That’s why I constantly have these sheet pan chicken fajitas on repeat.
My current favorite answer to the “what to cook for dinner tonight” conundrum? These sheet-pan chicken fajitas that are quite literally made completely on one sheet pan. When you line that pan with foil or parchment paper, the dreaded after-dinner clean-up becomes nonexistent.
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Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas:
Camille’s Cooking Club August Recipe
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Why You’ll Love These Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
The key to making sheet-pan chicken fajitas with only a handful of ingredients is all in how you season it. This meal relies on boneless skinless chicken breast or tenderloins, bell peppers, and onions (doesn’t get more basic than that), and a generous sprinkle of taco seasoning that amps up the flavor. A high-quality store-bought spice blend is full of all the same herbs and spices I’d mix up myself, but so much quicker.
Tips for Making Healthy Chicken Fajitas
Tex-Mex often gets a bad rap for being greasy or heavy, and while that may be true in a restaurant setting, dishes like these chicken fajitas prove that Tex-Mex can be full of veggies and protein.
- The base. Use corn tortillas if you want to keep them gluten-free (or like me, you just prefer the taste of corn tortillas over flour). You could also make an amazing fajita salad by tossing this mixture with some shredded lettuce and pico.
- See ya grease. Making these on a sheet pan in the oven allows you to use way less oil than making them in a skillet. (Simply toss with a little olive oil before cooking.)
- Fresh, flavorful toppings. Top them with more veggies: guacamole, pico de gallo, and cilantro. I also love a dollop of sour cream right at the end.
How I Make Five-Ingredient Chicken Fajitas
Before anyone protests that my math is off, I should probably clarify that when I say “five ingredients,” I’m not including pantry staples: olive oil, salt, and pepper. Also, the toppings to serve are optional, so… they don’t count. OK?
For a party, set out the fillings and garnishes with a stack of just-charred tortillas, and let everyone dig in. Summer is served!
Description
These Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas only have five ingredients—they’ll be your new weeknight go-to.
- 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts or tenderloins, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons (divided)
- Zest and juice of 3 limes
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning or chili powder (divided)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 5 mixed peppers of your choice (bell peppers, poblanos, etc.)
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- In a shallow baking dish, combine ¼ cup olive oil, lime juice and zest, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and several grounds of pepper. Whisk together, then add the chicken. Set aside to let marinate while you prep veggies.
- Cut peppers in half lengthwise, remove stem and seeds and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Peel and halve the onion and cut it into 1/4-inch slices.
- On a sheet pan, toss the bell peppers and onion with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Move to one side of the sheet pan.
- To other side of the sheet pan, add the chicken, leaving excess marinade in the bowl. Roast the chicken and vegetables until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers are soft, about 15 minutes. Crank up the oven to broil and broil until charred, about 5 minutes.
- Char the tortillas by holding them over a gas flame with tongs for about 1 minute per side. Keep warm in a tortilla warmer, or a gallon-sized ziplock.
- Serve chicken and vegetables with tortillas, guacamole, pico, sour cream, and cilantro. A margarita wouldn’t hurt either. Eat!
