Quick chicken fajitas in air fryer

Enjoy the blend of succulent chicken and vibrant bell pepper colors with this quick chicken fajitas recipe made in the air fryer. Ideal for busy weeknights, this easy weeknight dinner uses simple ingredients to deliver a delicious Tex-Mex dish that the whole family will love. Let’s dive into why this air fryer recipe is a must-try for any Mexican food enthusiast!

Why Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas?

Cooking chicken fajitas in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a delicious dinner with minimal effort. The air fryer uses hot air to make the chicken strips and veggies perfectly tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. Plus, it’s healthier as it uses less oil than traditional frying methods.

PRO TIPS for the Best Chicken Fajitas in Air Fryer

1. Slice Uniformly: Ensure chicken and veggies are sliced into thin strips to promote even cooking and prevent uneven cooking.
2. Preheat Your Air Fryer: Get your air fryer ready by preheating it to the desired temperature, which helps in cooking the chicken uniformly.
3. Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate freely, ensuring each piece gets nicely browned.

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Use skinless, lb chicken breast cut into thin strips; they cook quickly and absorb the homemade fajita seasoning beautifully.
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning: A blend of spices, including chili powder, cayenne pepper, and onion powder, makes for the best fajita seasoning mix that you can tailor to your dietary needs.
• Colorful Bell Peppers and Red Onion: Adds crunch, sweetness, and a load of vitamins to your fajitas.
• Olive Oil: A little bit of oil helps in tossing the chicken and veggies and enhances the seasoning adherence.
• Corn or Flour Tortillas: Warm tortillas wrap up the flavors of your fajitas. Opt for white corn tortilla for a gluten-free option.
• Sour Cream and Fresh Cilantro: These toppings add creaminess and a fresh burst, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Air fryer chicken fajita recipe

Season the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken strips with olive oil and your own fajita seasoning.

Toss the Veggies: Add sliced bell peppers and red onion to the bowl. Toss everything until well-coated.

Preheat the air fryer: Preheat it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your fajitas are prepared.

Cook: Arrange the seasoned chicken and veggie mix in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Check Doneness: Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer.

Serve: Serve hot with warm tortillas, your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Substitutions

• Avocado Oil: A great alternative to olive oil for a higher smoke point.
• Greek Yogurt: For a healthier topping alternative to sour cream.
• Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, use lettuce instead of tortillas.

How to Store Chicken Fajitas

Store leftover chicken fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes to revive the freshness and crispiness.

Other Cooking Methods

Apart from using an air fryer, you can cook chicken fajitas on a skillet over an open flame for that charred flavor, or bake them in the oven if cooking for a larger crowd.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your chicken fajitas with a side of rice or a fresh salad, or even incorporate them into a rice bowl for a heartier meal. Top with cheddar cheese for extra richness.

Enjoy cooking this delicious and vibrant air fryer chicken fajitas recipe, a perfect dish for celebrating occasions like Cinco de Mayo or any festive family gathering!

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Enjoy delicious and easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas in just minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines succulent chicken, colorful bell peppers, and homemade seasoning for a healthy and flavorful Tex-Mex meal. Ideal for the whole family!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 12

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Knife

Ingredients

  

• 2.5 lbs chicken diced
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper sliced
• 1 red onion sliced
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp Mexican chili powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tsp black pepper or to taste
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 bunch cilantro chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp sour cream for topping
• 1 avocado diced, for topping
• 1 cup mozzarella shredded, for topping
• 1 lime juiced, for topping
• 12 tortillas e.g., flour tortillas

Instructions

 

• Preheat the Air fryer: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your fajitas are prepared.
• Prepare the Chicken and Veggies: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced chicken, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Mexican chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix until well combined. Then add the minced garlic, sliced red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, and sliced red onion. Mix everything together until the chicken and veggies are evenly coated with the spices and oil.
• Arrange on a Sheet Pan: Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it. Spread the seasoned chicken and veggies evenly across the sheet pan, ensuring they are in a single layer. This will help them cook evenly.
• Bake the Fajitas: Place the sheet pan in the preheated Air fryer and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and starts to develop a delicious brown color. Make sure to check the chicken for doneness, as cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer.
• Assemble Your Fajitas: Once your chicken fajitas are cooked to perfection, it’s time to assemble your meal. Warm your tortillas according to package instructions or personal preference.
• Toppings and Serving: Place a generous portion of the cooked chicken and veggie mixture onto each tortilla. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the filling, add diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, and a garnish of chopped cilantro.

Nutrition Information

Air fryer chicken fajitas are tasty and packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients from the fresh ingredients. They can be easily adapted to meet different dietary needs, such as low-carb or gluten-free.

FAQs: Chicken Fajitas in Air Fryer

Can I use red meat instead? 

Yes, though cooking times may vary.

What if I don’t have homemade fajita seasoning? 

Store-bought fajita seasoning mix can be a quick and effective substitute.