Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas are a simple, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken strips cooked with peppers, onions, and a homemade fajita seasoning blend make for a deliciously easy dinner. Ready to serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 3 large bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion or 2 small onions, sliced
• 15 ounces diced tomatoes or salsa
• 1/3 cup fajita seasonings (see below for homemade blend)
• Salt & pepper to season the chicken
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (for Instant Pot only)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper. Add the chicken, sliced bell peppers, onions, diced tomatoes or salsa, fajita seasonings, chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
2. Step 2: Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
3. Step 3 (Instant Pot option): Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat some oil. Add sliced onions and bell peppers and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened.
4. Step 4 (Instant Pot): Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the pot along with chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and all the seasonings. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5 (Instant Pot): Close the lid, seal the valve, and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes. Once complete, quick release the pressure carefully.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the fajita seasonings and a little lime juice for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use a mix of colored bell peppers for a vibrant dish.
• Serve with warm flour tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese for a complete meal.
• If you want more heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasonings.

Storage

Store leftover fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked fajita filling for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work great and stay juicy and tender during slow cooking.

Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Absolutely! You can cook the seasoned chicken and vegetables in a large skillet over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 58 reviews

This Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas recipe offers a delightful, hands-off method to prepare tender, flavorful chicken fajitas with bell peppers, onions, and a robust blend of spices. Perfect for a casual weeknight dinner, the slow cooker method ensures juicy chicken infused with classic fajita seasonings, making it an easy and delicious Tex-Mex meal.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-3 hours (slow cooker high) or 4-6 hours (slow cooker low); 8 minutes (Instant Pot high pressure) plus sauté time
• Total Time: 2 hours 18 minutes (slow cooker high) or up to 6 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker low); approximately 30 minutes including sauté and pressure time for Instant Pot
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Vegetables

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 3 large bell peppers, sliced
• 1 large onion or 2 small onions, sliced

Seasonings & Liquids

• 15 ounces diced tomatoes or salsa
• 1/3 cup fajita seasonings (blend below)
• Salt & pepper to season the chicken
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (only if using Instant Pot)

Fajita Seasoning Blend

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more to taste)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring every piece is well-coated for maximum flavor.
2. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken, sliced bell peppers, sliced onion, diced tomatoes or salsa, and fajita seasoning blend into your slow cooker. Stir everything to combine well.
3. Cook in Slow Cooker: Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 2-3 hours, or set it to LOW and cook for 4-6 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Optional Instant Pot Sauté: If using an Instant Pot, turn it on to sauté mode. Once hot, add oil, onions, and bell peppers, cooking for 3-5 minutes until soft.
5. Add Remaining Ingredients to Instant Pot: Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and all seasonings to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine well.
6. Pressure Cook in Instant Pot: Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the valve. Set to high pressure and cook for 8 minutes. When finished, perform a quick release of the pressure.

Notes

• You can adjust the fajita seasoning blend to suit your spice preferences.
• Serve cooked fajitas with warm tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, and your favorite toppings.
• For added smoky flavor, consider using smoked paprika.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• The Instant Pot version requires a sauté step before pressure cooking to soften vegetables.

Keywords: chicken fajitas, slow cooker chicken, Tex-Mex dinner, easy chicken recipe, slow cooker fajitas