MS, RD, LD Laura Hoekstra Pediatric Nutrition
Sheet pan chicken fajitas are a great solution for busy families looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. This one-pan wonder is loaded with lean chicken, colorful bell peppers, onions, and simple seasonings, making it both nutritious and flavorful.
Not only is it a balanced meal, packed with protein and fiber, but it also minimizes cleanup—just throw everything on the sheet pan, roast, and serve. Plus, it can be served in different ways to add variety and is easy to customize with your favorite toppings, ensuring everyone at the table gets something they love.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- 3 bell peppers (any color)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Whole wheat tortillas, brown rice or mixed greens
Optional Garnishes:
- Lime, wedges
- Shredded cheese
- Avocado, sliced
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
Instructions:
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice the onion and bell peppers into ½ inch wide slices and place into a large mixing bowl.
- Cut the chicken into ½ inch strips and place into the same bowl with the onion and peppers.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the seasonings: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 ½ tsp chili powder, 2 tsp paprika and ½ tsp salt.
- Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle seasoning mixture over the peppers, onion and chicken; toss to coat.
- On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, scatter the chicken, peppers and onion.
- Bake for 20 minutes or longer, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees; use tongs to stir the mixture halfway through.
- You can serve with a whole wheat tortilla, over brown rice or on top of lettuce to make a fajita salad!
Dietitian Tip:
Preparing fresh vegetables on the weekend is a game-changer for busy weekdays. By washing, chopping, slicing, and storing vegetables in advance, you create an easy, grab-and-go solution for healthy meals and snacks throughout the week. Whether it’s for quick stir-fries, salads, roasted veggies or just something to munch on, having them prepped saves time and helps to eliminate the stress of meal prep during the week.
