Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
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Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas is the perfect recipe for a busy week night dinner! Tender, flavorful, and perfectly charred chicken with a blend of peppers and onions! Use these to throw in a tortilla, on a salad, or even in a burrito bowl situation!
The last few months have been a little out of the ordinary around here and extra easy while being somewhat healthy has been on the top of my list when it comes to cooking. It’s also been so hot and humid outside that turning on the oven or even heating the stove top seems like a bit too much. Southern summers are not for the weak. Spoiler alert: I’m weak. Ha!
My Air Fryer has come to the rescue for total ease and keeping the kitchen cooler these past few months! I love my Air Fryer even though I don’t have a lot of recipes on here for it yet. It is something we use a ton of the time. These Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas are so delish for weeknight meals and will shine on Taco Tuesday! I’ve been making them this way almost all summer long at least once a week. f
If you want to turn these fajitas into a full dinner bowl, try my Chicken Fajita Bowl with rice, black beans, and lime crema.
For extra ease, slice the chicken, peppers, and onions and put them in a container in the fridge early in the week so that it’s ready to go on nights. All I have to do is throw the seasoning together and dump it all in. Dinner done in under 20 minutes!
Chicken Fajitas are something that I used to swear could only be made in the skillet, but the Air Fryer method is just so easy that I may never go back to my trusty skillet! As you can see in the photos that the vegetables have just enough char as well as the chicken. Just the way I like it.
What you’ll need for Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
- Air Fryer: Click here for the one I love and use! I use a 7 quart Air Fryer which is the largest one on the market (that could change tomorrow though). I recommend cooking in two batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
- Fajita seasoning: Perfect blend of spices! I prefer my homemade blend to highlight my own flavor profile, but you can use your own blend or even a packet from the store will do just fine.
- Chicken tenders/breast: I prefer chicken tenders for this recipe because they just stay a bit more, well, tender and they are quick to slice up, but whole chicken breast works just as well.
- Cornstarch
- Avocado Oil
- Peppers (blend of yellow, red, and/or yellow)
- Onion
- Cooking spray (I prefer avocado oil spray in the air fryer)
How to make Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Start out by thinly slicing chicken tenders or whole chicken breast into thin slices. If using the tenderloin remove the “tendon” by holding the white “nub” with a paper towel, place a fork so your holding the “white tendon nub” (haha I’m so technical) in between the fork prongs, pull the “white tendon nub” up while holding it with a paper towel and then push the fork down. The whole tendon part is easily removed this way. You can google youtube videos if you don’t know how. I realize now that it’s actually pretty hard to write how to do it. Make sure to hold the tendon part with the piece of a paper towel because otherwise you can’t, that sucker is pretty dang slippery.
Slice 3 peppers and 1 large onion into as uniformly as possible pieces just to ensure a fairly even cook. Thinner slices will get a bit more “char” than thicker slices, but super thin slices will almost disappear/burn.
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In a large bowl or dish add sliced chicken, 2 teaspoons of oil, and one tablespoon of cornstarch. In a small bowl stir together fajita seasoning.
Homemade Fajita seasoning:
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprkia
- 1-1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- cayenne pepper (1/8 tsp for a little heat optional)
Next, mix together chicken, seasoning, and cornstarch super well. I prefer using my hands to really coat vegetables or meat with seasoning well, but you can use a spoon. I like to use food safe gloves because touching raw chicken is not my favorite pastime.
After you mix the seasoning into the chicken really well add the peppers and onion into the same dish along with a pinch of salt and pepper and 1 teaspoon of oil. Mix all together.
Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 390 degrees. Spray basket lightly with avocado oil cooking spray then place the chicken, pepper, and onion mixture into the basket. Cook for 12 minutes total, but stop and shake basket (or give it a good stir with a spoon) to move the food around the basket while it’s cooking. This helps it cook evenly/get a good char on some of the chicken and vegetables.
And voila! Seriously the easiest and quickest ever. If you have some on hand squeeze a lime over the top and add a couple tablespoons of chopped cilantro. It really just adds a lil extra somethin, somethin, but it’s totally not necessary.
I honestly think that this might be one of the prettiest recipes to come out of my kitchen. I love Chicken Fajitas for their simplicity. Fresh and bright flavors that make my taste buds dance! They’re healthy and delicious without even trying to be. Guess what else? They totally impress guests!
Throw on tortillas with a little quick pico and some rice and/or beans! Best dinner.
If you make this recipe, let me know how it goes below in the comment section!
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast or tenderloins cut into thin slices
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 red onion
- 2-3 medium bell peppers (green, yellow, and/or red) (use only 2 peppers if they are huge, 3 if they are small/medium size- about 3 cups total)
- 3 tsp oil (2tsp for chicken, 1tsp for peppers/onions)
- avocado oil cooking spray (other cooking spray works, but I prefer avocado oil spray in the air fryer)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- juice of one lime and cilantro (optional for extra delicious)
Fajita Seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Cut onions, peppers, and chicken into thin slices. Dry chicken extra with paper towels if needed.
- Add chicken to a bowl and sprinkles with fajita seasoning, cornstarch, and drizzle with 2 tsp oil. Stir together extra well so that chicken is coated nicely. I like to use my hands (with food safe gloves on) just to make sure it's completely coated, but a spoon works.
- Add peppers and onions to bowl and drizzle with 1 tsp oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir all together.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees. When preheated spray basket with cooking spray then add chicken mixture. Cook for 10-12 minutes, but during the cook time stop and shake basket to ensure cooking and char on the chicken evenly.
Can we sub cornstarch with something else?
You can use flour
This.was so delicious! We overcrowded they air fryer, so it took a little longer to cook but worth it. It was so nice to have fajitas that aren’t greasy, just flavorful. We had ours over a salad with salsa and sour cream. My husband kept saying how good it was and he rarely eats salads.
I’ve made chicken fajitas before, but this recipe takes it to a whole ‘nother level! Wowzers! I used only 1 tsp. of olive oil with no issues. This is now our go-to recipe for fajitas! We rolled the mixture into a tortilla wrap with refried beans, cheese and sour cream. Thank you! #top2021
Wow!!!!! Wow wow wow!!!! I absolutely love fajitas and this totally hit the spot!! This will definitely be a repeat meal! Thank you for such a fantastic recipe!
So great in the air fryer, you get a nice little char on everything. Delish! #top2021
This recipe is SOOO good! We have made this at least 3 times this month alone. I honestly think it is better than the fajitas at the Mexican restaurant.
Absolutely the best fajitas I’ve ever made! Love this recipe soooooo much!!
#top2021
Loved this recipe! #top2021
Making these again tonight-they are a winner! I wand to thank you for all you do and what an excellent job you do at it. Wishing you and your family a Happy, Wonderful and Safe 2022!
So easy and yummy! Will definitely be making these again.
2 people asked how to make these if you don’t have an air fryer and you TOTALLY ignored them!!! How rude!!! Not everyone can purchase an air fryer…. I can’t believe you just ignored them!!!
Geri, well first- you need to take a deep breath and calm down. I answer comments here, on facebook, and on instagram, messages, emails on a daily basis. It’s easy to miss things. Thankfully I opened up my comments today and saw this one first so I could reply to you! I apologize that you seem to be so angry and hurt by the fact that I simply cannot answer every single person, but rest assured that I will continue to try my best because that’s all I can do because I am a one woman show. I’m not a large company and maybe that was confusing for you and that’s not your fault, You didn’t know any better, Geri.
Anyway, Geri. The simple fact is that I have not tested this recipe in the oven. It’s called “Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas”. In my experience doing chicken fajitas in the oven do not result in the crispy browned edges that I so love about Chicken Fajitas, but for you Geri, I’ll make sure to test it asap and update the blog post with my results.
Wishing you the best of holidays and I hope you leave your anger in the year 2021 and begin 2022 with compassion and kindness.
I promise to reply to the other commenters on this thread and let them know that I haven’t tested it in the oven either so I don’t want to give inaccurate information. Best wishes your way, Geri!
Omg.. this just made me love you more.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You’re entitled to rest, and work-life balance.
If the Geris of the world can’t understand that its more a them problem than a you problem.
Best. Response. EVER. I wonder if Geri is actually Sharon… who blamed Marie Callender for the burnt pumpkin pie??? Relatives maybe??? Go Star!!!
Oh my gosh I saw this a couple weeks ago. That was SO FUNNY!!!!
You Miss Star are a true lady~
Haha this is so funny (and frustrating for you!) in making this tonight so I came to read the comments because you always learn things, tips, variations, etc. what a poop head Geri must be. And you remained professional as always!
Who peed in your fajitas, Geri?!
Wow, Geri. Maybe you should just run your own business with multiple platforms and answer every single comment to thousands of people, while being a mom and a wife. You could totally show Star how it’s done. The only person being rude here is you. Let ke know when you have your site up and running.
Geri, Geri, Geri…you need a chill pill! Who are you to be so rude…your accusations towards The Skinnyish Dish are way more rude than her delayed answering! Sheesh.
Geri. Go eat a Snickers.
HAHA
These were absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for a delicious and easy recipe while I try to stay on plan this week.
Can’t wait to try these! Can you say what the purpose of the cornstarch is? It is not something I normally stock in my pantry…. Thanks so much!
The cornstarch helps create a crust along with the spices that helps seal in moisture in higher heat cooking methods while also helping it brown up a bit nicely and giving that “charred” look. You can also use flour, but I’ve always used cornstarch when doing this.
Making these again today because they really hit the spot.
The PP link (?is it a link?) worked really well. Thank you!
yes it’s a link! Thanks for the feedback I’m so happy it worked for you =)
Thank you so much for including the link for Personal Points! I love your recipes and the link is a huge bonus
This was so delicious…the spice blend was awesome! These will definitely be in my dinner rotation! Thanks Star!
Oh. My. Goodness!! These are absolutely delicious and so easy! I let the spices sit on the chicken (refrigerated) for a few hours as I got pulled away but this didn’t seem to be a problem. Thank you for sharing your recipes!!
Oh. My. Goodness!! These are sooo good!! Thank you for sharing your recipes!!
Can you do this with frozen chicken breast chunks?
Hey Beth! I’m sorry I haven’t tried this with frozen chicken breast. If I try it out I will update for you and if you give it a try please let me know how it went. Have a great day!
It was good with salsa, cilantro and cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. In the actual recipe, it indicates 400 degrees, but in the section above it says 390 degrees. Please clarify which one it should be.
400