My Favorite One Pan Chicken Dinner
Let me tell you about my easy chicken fajitas. They are my go-to quick weeknight dinner. Everything cooks together on one pan. That means less washing up for you.
I love a good one pan chicken dinner. You just toss everything together. The oven does the hard work. Doesn’t that sound nice? What is your favorite meal to cook on just one pan?
Why Homemade Spice Mix Matters
We will make our own homemade fajita seasoning. It is so simple. You probably have the spices in your cupboard. This matters because you control the salt. Store mixes can be too salty.
My grandson once used three times the chili powder by mistake. I still laugh at that. His fajitas were very, very spicy. But our mix is just right. *Fun fact: The word “fajita” comes from the Spanish word for “little strap,” which is what the strips of meat look like!*
Making Our Oven Baked Fajitas
Now, slice your chicken and colorful peppers. Throw them on a big sheet pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle your seasoning. Use your hands to mix it all up. Getting your hands messy is part of the fun.
Spread everything out evenly. This helps it cook perfectly. Pop it in the hot oven. In about 35 minutes, your kitchen will smell amazing. These oven baked fajitas are foolproof.
A Truly Budget Friendly Meal
This is one of my top cheap dinner ideas. Chicken, peppers, and onions are kind to your wallet. Using one pan saves energy too. This matters a lot for family meals. Good food does not have to cost a lot.
It is also a wonderful meal prep recipe. Cook a big batch on Sunday. You can use the leftovers for lunches all week. Do you like to plan your meals ahead, or cook day by day?
Your Simple Fajita Recipe Finish
When the pan comes out, squeeze fresh lime juice over it. That little splash makes all the flavors sing. Then, just scoop the filling into warm tortillas. Add a cool dollop of sour cream if you like.
This simple fajita recipe is so flexible. You can use different colored peppers. You can even try it with shrimp. I hope you give these sheet pan chicken fajitas a try. Tell me, what color bell peppers will you use for yours?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chili powder | 1 Tbsp | For seasoning mix |
| Paprika | 1/2 Tbsp | For seasoning mix |
| Onion powder | 1/2 tsp | For seasoning mix |
| Garlic powder | 1/4 tsp | For seasoning mix |
| Cumin | 1/4 tsp | For seasoning mix |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/8 tsp | For seasoning mix |
| Sugar | 1 tsp | For seasoning mix |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | For seasoning mix |
| Yellow onions | 2 small (or 1 large) | |
| Bell peppers | 3 | Any color |
| Chicken breast | 1 lb. | |
| Cooking oil | 2 Tbsp | |
| Lime | 1 | |
| Tortillas | 8 | 6-inch size |
| Sour cream | 1/2 cup | Optional |
| Cilantro | 1/4 bunch | Optional |
Instructions
Step 1: First, heat your oven to 400 degrees. Now, mix your homemade fajita seasoning in a little bowl. I love making my own spice mix. It makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful.
Step 2: Slice your onions and bell peppers into pretty strips. Then, cut the chicken into thin pieces too. (Always cut veggies before raw chicken for safety). This is the start of your one pan chicken dinner.
Step 3: Toss everything on a big sheet pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle your seasoning. Use your hands to mix it all up. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? This simple fajita recipe is so easy.
Step 4: Bake your sheet pan chicken fajitas for about 35 minutes. Give them one good stir halfway. I still laugh at how simple this is. What’s your favorite part of cooking? Share below!
Step 5: When done, squeeze fresh lime juice right over the pan. The steam and smell are the best part. Serve your easy chicken fajitas in warm tortillas. These oven baked fajitas are perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Creative Twists
Try Sweet Potato Wedges. Add them to the pan for a hearty, sweet twist. Make a Fajita Bowl. Skip the tortilla and serve over rice instead. Zesty Citrus Swap. Use an orange instead of a lime for a sweeter zip. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
I love these sheet pan chicken fajitas with cool sour cream. A simple side of canned black beans works great too. For meal prep recipes, keep the filling separate from tortillas. It’s a fantastic budget friendly meal. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Fajitas Fresh and Ready
Let’s talk about storing these easy chicken fajitas. First, let them cool completely. Then, pop everything into airtight containers. They will keep in the fridge for three days. You can also freeze the chicken and veggie mix for a month. I remember my first big batch. I was so proud to have dinner ready for a busy night!
Batch cooking matters. It turns cooking from a chore into a gift for your future self. On a hard day, a ready meal feels like a hug. For reheating, use your oven or a skillet. This keeps your oven baked fajitas from getting soggy. It brings back that fresh, crispy edge.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Fajita Fumbles
Even simple fajita recipes can have hiccups. First, soggy veggies. The fix is simple. Do not crowd your pan. Give everything space to roast, not steam. Second, bland chicken. This matters because flavor builds confidence. Make sure your homemade fajita seasoning coats every piece well. Use your hands to toss it all!
Third, chewy chicken. I once sliced it too thick. Always cut chicken into thin, even strips. This helps it cook quickly and stay tender. Getting these small things right matters. It turns a cheap dinner idea into a fantastic one pan chicken dinner your family will love.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make fajitas without a sheet pan?
No sheet pan? No problem! Use a large, oven-safe dish instead. A big casserole dish or roasting pan works perfectly. Just spread your chicken and vegetables in a single layer. The key is to not pile them up. This ensures your oven baked fajitas still get crispy and cook evenly, giving you that perfect one pan chicken dinner.
What vegetables go well with chicken fajitas?
Bell peppers and onions are classic for easy chicken fajitas. But feel free to experiment! Zucchini, sliced mushrooms, or even broccoli florets roast beautifully. They add color and nutrients to your meal. This is a great way to use what you have, making it one of the best budget friendly meals. Just cut them to a similar size for even cooking.
Can I use steak instead of chicken for sheet pan fajitas?
Absolutely! Steak makes a wonderful swap. Use a quick-cooking cut like flank or skirt steak. Slice it very thin against the grain. Because steak cooks faster than chicken, you might add it to the sheet pan later. Try adding the steak strips halfway through the veggie cooking time. This keeps your steak tender and perfect for these meal prep recipes.
How do you keep chicken fajitas from getting soggy?
The secret is space and heat. Do not overcrowd your pan. Crowding creates steam. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated to 400°F before baking. A hot oven roasts instead of steams. Finally, let your sheet pan chicken fajitas rest for a minute after adding lime juice. This helps keep your quick weeknight dinners deliciously crisp.
What are the best seasonings for chicken fajitas?
Homemade fajita seasoning is best. It has no extra fillers. The blend in this simple fajita recipe is perfect. Chili powder and paprika give color and warmth. Cumin adds earthiness. Garlic and onion powder build a savory base. A pinch of sugar balances the spices. You control the salt, making it a healthier choice for your family dinners.
Can you prepare sheet pan fajitas ahead of time?
Yes, they are great for make-ahead meals! Chop your veggies and chicken. Mix your homemade seasoning. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to cook. You can even coat everything in oil and seasoning a few hours ahead. This makes throwing together cheap dinner ideas on a busy night a total breeze. Just spread and bake when you’re ready!
*Fun fact: The word “fajita” comes from the Spanish word “faja,” meaning “strip” or “belt,” referring to the cut of meat!*
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love these sheet pan chicken fajitas. They truly are one of my favorite budget friendly meals. Cooking should be joyful, not stressful. This recipe is here to help on those busy nights. I love hearing your stories and seeing your twists on my recipes.
So tell me, friend. Have you tried this recipe? Did your family enjoy it? What did you add? Leave a comment below and let’s chat. Your kitchen stories are my favorite thing to read.
Happy cooking!
—Elena Rutherford
Simple Sheet Pan Chicken and Pepper Fajitas
Description
An easy and flavorful weeknight dinner with seasoned chicken and peppers roasted on a single sheet pan, perfect for fajitas.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Mix all of the spices for the fajita seasoning in a small bowl and set aside (chili powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, sugar, and salt).
- Cut the onion and bell peppers into 1/4-inch wide strips.
- Slice the chicken breast into thin strips.
- Add the chicken and vegetables to a large baking sheet or casserole dish.
- Drizzle the cooking oil over the chicken and vegetables, then sprinkle the fajita seasoning mix over top.
- Use your hands to toss the ingredients until everything is well coated in oil and seasoning.
- Spread the chicken and vegetables out over the baking sheet evenly.
- Bake the chicken and vegetables in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
- Squeeze the juice from half of the lime over top of the meat and vegetables after they come out of the oven.
- To serve, scoop a small amount of meat and vegetables into the center of each tortilla. Top with a few sprigs of cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and an extra squeeze of lime if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper. Leftover filling is great in salads or bowls.