These air fryer fajitas are great for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love! It's made with tender chicken strips along with sliced bell peppers and onions. Serve with flour or corn tortillas and your favorite toppings like sour cream and pico de gallo for a classic meal that's delicioso!
Made with my Authentic Fajita Seasoning.
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It's time to spice things up with a new recipe that's sure to make your taste buds dance - air fryer fajitas!
This delicious meal is perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something tasty and satisfying, but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen.
We all love fajitas, right? That sizzling sound, the mouth-watering smell, and the explosion of flavors with every bite - it's the ultimate Tex-Mex comfort food.
And what's even better than classic fajitas? Fajitas made in an air fryer! Trust me, it's a game changer.
For this recipe, we're going to use chicken breasts as our protein, along with some colorful bell peppers and onions to give our fajitas a pop of flavor and nutrition.
But the real secret to making these fajitas stand out is in the seasoning. Forget those store-bought packets of seasoning - we're going to make our own authentic fajita seasoning from scratch.
The combination of ancho chile powder and paprika, along with other spices will have your taste buds doing the cha-cha in no time.
And let's not forget about the air fryer - this handy appliance is perfect for making fajitas because it creates that sizzling effect without all the fuss of a hot skillet or oven.
Plus, it helps to keep things healthy by using hot air to cook the food, instead of loads oil or butter.
Why you'll love it
- Made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.
- A good meal prep option for work lunches.
- Easy and healthy weeknight meal.
- Air frying makes it easy to make tender and juicy chicken.
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom of the post for precise amounts and printable recipe card.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - these are easy to prepare and cook up quickly and evenly. Pre-cut chicken breast strips (raw) will also work, just be sure they are sliced evenly.
Bell peppers - you can choose your favorite color or use what you have on hand. We like green bell pepper and red bell pepper. If you like spicy, add some fresh jalapeño or serranos.
Onions - use yellow or white onions, or if you prefer red onion, that's also a great option.
Garlic
Oil - any kind of oil will work, such as olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
Fajita seasoning mix - I use my homemade mix, but you can use something you have on hand or a store bought version. Taco seasoning can also be used. If you don't have seasoning on hand, you can make your own version of fajita spice mix with a combination of any of the following: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder, and a cumin. A pinch of cayenne pepper will add a touch of heat.
Tortillas - we love both flour tortillas and corn tortillas with this recipe.
Lime - freshly squeezed lime juice takes it to the next level, but is optional.
Toppings - there are so many options here, so just use your imagination when picking what to put on. We like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese like queso fresco, Shredded crisp iceberg lettuce or green cabbage adds a nice crunch. Fresh cilantro is always a nice touch!
Try my authentic guacamole and simple salsa to serve with your air fryer fajitas!
Equipment
Instructions
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer at 390 degrees F for 3-5 minutes.
STEP TWO: Cut bell peppers and onion into even strips, about 2 inches long. Place in a large mixing bowl. Toss with a tablespoon of oil then sprinkle with half the seasoning. Add to the air fryer basket in an even layer.
STEP THREE: Slice chicken breasts into even strips, about 2 inches long. Chop garlic then add the chicken and the garlic to the same bowl the peppers were in. Toss with a tablespoon of oil then sprinkle with remaining seasoning mix. Add the the air fryer basket over the vegetables. Spread the chicken out as much as possible so the edges aren't touching.
STEP FOUR: Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the chicken at the halfway point.
Kitchen tips
Preheat the air fryer: Just like with any cooking method, it's important to preheat the air fryer before you start cooking. This will ensure that the air fryer is hot enough to cook your fajitas evenly and give them that sizzling effect.
Cut your ingredients into even-sized strips: For the best results, cut your chicken, peppers, and onions into even-sized strips. This will ensure that they cook evenly in the air fryer and that you get the perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
Use a homemade fajita seasoning: While store-bought fajita seasoning can be convenient, making your own seasoning blend can really take your fajitas to the next level. Plus, you can adjust the spice level to your liking and makes these air fryer fajitas unique.
Use a cooking spray or oil: To prevent your fajitas from sticking to the air fryer basket, be sure to use a cooking spray or oil. It also keeps it from drying out.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: It's important to leave some space in the air fryer basket so that the hot air can circulate around the ingredients and cook them evenly. If you overcrowd the basket, your fajitas may not cook evenly and may not get as crispy.
Turn chicken over halfway through: To ensure even cooking, flip the chicken pieces over halfway through the cooking time. This will help to ensure that all of the ingredients cook evenly. For best results, cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
FAQ
Absolutely! While this recipe calls for chicken, you can also use beef, seafood, or make it vegetarian by using tofu or vegetables as your protein. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly.
While marinating the chicken can add additional flavor, it's not necessary for this recipe. The homemade fajita seasoning will give your chicken plenty of flavor and moisture.
You can, but keep in mind that frozen vegetables can release excess moisture and may not get as crispy in the air fryer. For best results, we recommend using fresh peppers and onions.
Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your chicken strips and your air fryer model. We recommend cooking the fajitas at 390°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Absolutely! Just be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and to adjust the cooking time accordingly. You may also need to cook the fajitas in batches if your air fryer basket is too small.
Preheating the air fryer is important to ensure that the fajitas cook evenly and get that classic sizzling effect. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes before adding the ingredients.
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three or four days.
Freeze for up to three months. Use freezer safe containers or ziploc bags.
What to serve with chicken fajitas
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice Arroz Rojo
- Instant Pot Mexican Beans
- Hatch Green Chile Dip
- Chipotle Lime Crema
- Cilantro Garlic Sauce
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- ½ red onion sliced
- 2 tablespoon oil divided use
- 1 to 1.5 lbs chicken breasts boneless, skinless cut into 2 inch pieces or strips;
- 2 teaspoon garlic chopped
- 2½ tablespoon fajita seasoning homemade or store bought
- Tortillas flour or corn
- Shredded cheese
Additional toppings
- guacamole
- sour cream
- lime
- salsa or pico de gallo
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 390 degrees F for 3 minutes.
- Cut bell peppers and onion into even strips, about 2 inches long. Place in a large mixing bowl. Toss with a tablespoon of oil then sprinkle with half the seasoning. Add to the air fryer basket in an even layer.
- Slice chicken breasts into even strips, about 2 inches long. Chop garlic then add both to the same bowl the peppers were in. Toss with a tablespoon of oil then sprinkle with remaining seasoning mix. Add the the air fryer basket over the vegetables. Spread the chicken out as much as possible so the edges aren't touching.
- Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the chicken at the halfway point.
- Serve with tortillas and toppings.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three or four days.
- Freeze for up to three months. Use freezer safe containers or ziploc bags.
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