Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Prepare the fajita seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine salt paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (optional).

Note: If you have seasoning leftover, store it in an air-tight container or a bag to use later. You can use it for chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. 

Slice chicken, peppers and onion: Slice chicken breasts into thin strips and place them a large bowl. Slice peppers and onion into thin strips and add them to the bowl with chicken.

Season the fajita ingredients: Season chicken and vegetables generously with the seasoning mix and mix until well coated. Add the juice of half of the lime (reserve the other half for serving) and one to two tablespoons of olive oil to the chicken. Mix it again so the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.

Note: I use about 1 tablespoon of seasoning for 1 pound of chicken. 

Make-ahead tip: Cover fajitas, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes to 390F. Arrange the fajitas in an air fryer basket, preferable in a single layer but it is OK if they all overlap slightly. Cook in batches if needed.

Air fry at 390°F for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and reaches internal temperature 165°F. Half way though the cooking time, shake the basket or give it a stir, so they cook evenly. Once cooked, I like to sprinkle my fajitas with fresh cilantro, and squeeze some extra lime juice on top. Serve them with fresh flour or corn tortillas, favorite toppings, such as sour cream, cheese and guacamole.

Serving ideas

Traditionally, fajitas are served with flour or corn tortillas, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, fresh guacamole, and pico de gallo. I also like making fajita rice bowls with steamed rice and black beans, which is so convenient for meal prep. 

My family rarely wants to eat the same meal two days in a row, so I often repurpose the leftovers to make something different. Below are a few favorite ways to repurpose these chicken fajitas:

• Fajita pasta: reheat cooked chicken fajitas in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil. Cook any type of pasta following the instructions on the box. Once done, add pasta to the skillet. Serve hot.
• Fajita Quesadilla (family's fav): use flour tortilla and shredded cheddar cheese to make quick quesadillas. 
• Fajita Omelette: incorporate it into an omelet for a delicious breakfast idea. You can serve it with sliced avocado on a side. 

Pro Tips For Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

• Slice chicken and vegetable evenly: Slice chicken and vegetables into pieces of similar size for even cooking.
• Marinate the chicken for tender results: Add about ½ teaspoons of baking powder along with the seasonings and olive oil and marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
• Easier clean-up: use air fryer parchment paper liners for even easier clean up.
• Add a hint of sweetness: Add about ½ teaspoons of sugar or brown sugar to the seasoning mix. It will caramelize the chicken and veggies, adding a little bit of sweetness to balance all the flavors.
• A new tip for extra flavor: A friend of mine recommended me to add a splash (about 1 teaspoon) of soy sauce to chicken and vegetables before cooking. It really makes the whole dish more flavorful.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store: place leftover chicken fajitas in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, do not store chicken and vegetables together with tortillas and any other side dishes.
• Reheat: you can reheat the leftovers in the air fryer (3-5 min, 350℉), microwave (30-60 seconds intervals), or on the stove (5-6 minutes, medium heat). 
• Freeze: you can freeze cooked chicken fajitas up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, place in a freezer safe container or a bag, and label with the date. When ready to eat, reheat them from frozen in the air fryer until hot.