Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Our Crockpot Chicken Fajitas are an easy, flavorful way to enjoy a classic Tex-Mex favorite at home.
Juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions cook together with a zesty seasoning for a delicious meal that’s perfect for busy nights. Just set it and forget it!
Crockpot Chicken Fajitas are a simple and satisfying option for busy weeknights or when you want to let your slow cooker do the work. With tender chicken, colorful veggies, and plenty of flavor, these fajitas are sure to be a hit with your family.
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas Recipe Highlights
- Quick preparation time
- Uses a mix of colorful bell peppers for a vibrant and nutritious meal
- Slow Cooker ensures tender, juicy chicken
- Perfect for busy weeknights – set it and forget it!
- Great for family dinners or meal prep
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
CHICKEN – I chose boneless skinless chicken breasts for their ease of use and quick cooking time. They slice easily into strips and stay juicy when cooked in the slow cooker. If you prefer dark meat, you can substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which will add a richer flavor.
BELL PEPPERS – Use a mix of red, yellow, orange, and green for a colorful and sweet medley. When selecting bell peppers, look for ones that are firm, shiny, and heavy for their size. Avoid peppers with soft spots or wrinkled skin. The variety of colors not only looks appealing but also adds different layers of sweetness and crunch.
ONION & GARLIC – Adds a mild, sweet flavor that complements the peppers and provides a robust, aromatic touch. The onions become soft and slightly caramelized, while the garlic infuses the dish with its distinct flavor. Yellow or white onions work best for their sweetness when cooked.
TOMATOES – I chose diced tomatoes for their convenience and ability to add moisture and a hint of acidity to balance the flavors. Draining the tomatoes prevents the dish from becoming too watery while still providing a nice base for the vegetables and chicken to cook in. You can use fresh tomatoes if you prefer, but canned diced tomatoes save time and effort.
FAJITA SEASONING MIX – You can use a store-bought packet or make your own for a custom flavor.
Homemade Fajita Seasoning
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried oregano
- salt
- black pepper
LIME JUICE – Fresh lime juice adds a zesty finish, lime juice’s acidity brightens up the flavors and adds a refreshing contrast to the savory ingredients. Rolling the lime on the counter before juicing helps release more juice.
TORTILLAS – Soft and ready to be filled with delicious fajitas, warm them up before serving to make them more pliable and enhance their flavor. You can wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven or microwave them covered with a damp paper towel. Flour tortillas or corn tortillas work well, depending on your preference.
How To Make Crock-Pot Chicken Fajita Recipe
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Pound chicken breasts until evenly thick, slice into strips, and coat with half of the fajita seasoning mix.
- Toss bell peppers, onions, and garlic with remaining seasoning. Pour drained diced tomatoes into the slow cooker and layer half of the seasoned vegetables on top.
- Place seasoned chicken strips over the vegetables, add the remaining vegetables, and squeeze lime juice over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Stir vegetables to coat them with juices. Serve chicken and vegetables on warm tortillas.
Planning and Leftovers
MAKE AHEAD – You can prepare the Chicken Fajitas in advance and reheat them before serving. Cook the fajitas as directed, allow them to cool, and then store them in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven.
STORE – Leftover chicken fajitas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through before serving.
FREEZE – While it’s best to consume the fajitas fresh for optimal flavor and texture, you can freeze the cooked mixture in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
REHEAT – Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions for The Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
RICE – Besides tortillas, you can serve chicken fajitas with rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
LETTUCE – You can also serve them in lettuce wraps for a lighter alternative or on top of a salad for a fajita bowl.
FRESH SALSA – Adds a fresh, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the fajitas. You can make your own by chopping tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños and mixing them with lime juice and salt.
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes
Recipe Success Tips
EVEN CHICKEN SLICES – Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly. This prevents some pieces from being overcooked while others are undercooked. It also helps in making the chicken tender and easy to chew. Use a rolling pin or meat mallet and place the chicken between two pieces of cling wrap to avoid mess.
DON’T OVERCOOK – Cooking the chicken for too long can make it dry and tough. In a slow cooker, chicken breasts cook relatively quickly, so start checking at the 2-hour mark. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. If you notice it’s cooked through but still have time left, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting to keep it ready to serve without overcooking.
PREP AHEAD – You can prep the chicken and vegetables the night before and store them in the fridge. Marinating the chicken in the seasoning overnight can deepen the flavors. Just assemble everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and you’re set for an easy dinner.
AVOID WATERY FAJITAS – Draining the diced tomatoes is crucial to prevent the fajitas from becoming too watery. If you like a bit more tomato flavor without the excess liquid, consider using fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an added smoky taste.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I have to use chicken breasts for this recipe?
While chicken breasts are commonly used for fajitas, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs sliced into strips, pork loin slices, or flank steak sliced for a different flavor profile. All of these will have a similar cooking time to the chicken breast. To be safe, just make sure the chicken reaches a minimum of 165° Fahrenheit, the pork 145° Fahrenheit, and the steak 135° Fahrenheit.
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
To prevent the chicken from drying out, make sure to cook it until it’s just cooked through and tender but not overdone. Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also help retain moisture compared to chicken breasts.
Can I use a different cooking method instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, if you prefer, you can make chicken fajitas on the stovetop or in the oven. For stovetop cooking, sauté the chicken and vegetables in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through. For oven cooking, arrange the seasoned chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet and roast at 400° Fahrenheit for about 20-25 minutes or until done.
Can I marinate the chicken beforehand?
Yes, marinating the chicken in a fajita seasoning blend or a marinade of your choice can enhance the flavor. You can marinate the chicken for 30 minutes up to overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
Can I make vegetarian fajitas using this recipe?
Yes, you can make vegetarian fajitas by omitting the chicken and using extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, sweet potato, or squash. Adjust the seasoning and cooking time accordingly.
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Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless, skinless – 4 large breast 1.5 – 2 pounds
- 4 large bell pepper sliced – mix of red, yellow, orange or green
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 1 1-ounce packet fajita seasoning mix adjust to taste
- 1 lime juiced
- cilantro fresh, chopped (for garnish)
- tortillas soft for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of cling wrap and gently pound them with a rolling pin until evenly thick.
- Slice the flattened chicken into strips and coat the chicken strips with half of the fajita seasoning mix in a large bowl.
- Toss the bell peppers, onions, and garlic with the remaining seasoning in another bowl. Pour the drained diced tomatoes into the slow cooker.
- Layer half of the seasoned bell peppers and onions on top to create a bed.
- Place the seasoned chicken strips on top of the vegetables. Add the remaining bell peppers and onions over the chicken. Squeeze lime juice over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Stir the vegetables to coat them with the juices.
- Serve the chicken and vegetables on warm tortillas.
Equipment
Notes
Optional toppings:
- sour cream
- guacamole
- salsa
- shredded cheese
- jalapeños
Slow Cooker times
ON LOW – 2 to 3 hours Nutrition calculations are approximate and do not include tortilla wraps and toppings.Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
we used rottel tomates with peppers and no bell peppers.