Chicken Fajita Bowl

Easy Mexican dishes for lunch or dinner

When I'm craving a quick, easy and tasty dinner, I reach for my favorite Mexican recipes. Mexican dishes are all about zesty flavors that whip up easily and are totally satisfying. This makes them perfect for a fast lunch or a busy weeknight dinner.

Favorites for a go-to lunch, especially during the summer, is this easy and packable Taco Salad, while these spicy Chicken Tinga Tostadas and healthy Taco Stuffed Peppers make the best dinners.

Get Your Fajita Fix in a Bowl

This quick dinner with simple ingredients brings all the smoky, charred flavors of traditional fajitas and transforms them into a colorful, flavor-loaded bowl. Paired with cilantro lime rice and fresh toppings makes this the perfect lunch or dinner option.

Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or feeding a crowd, this bowl will hit the spot. And that drizzle of homemade Mexican salad dressing pulls everything together perfectly. One bite, and you’ll be hooked!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons why this chicken fajita bowl recipe will be in your new go-to weeknight dinner:

It’s a complete meal in one bowl. Packed with protein, veggies, carbs, and healthy fats, this bowl has everything you need for a hearty meal.

Bold, fresh flavors. The fajita seasoning, zesty lime, and fresh vegetables combine to create a mouthwatering combo.

Easy to customize. Whether you want to swap the protein, change up the rice, or add your favorite toppings, it's easy to fit the ingredients to your family's tastes.

Perfect for meal prep. Cook the chicken, veggies, and rice ahead of time, and assembling these bowls becomes a breeze for busy weeknights.

Family-friendly. Everyone can build their own bowl (my family's preferred way to serve it) with the toppings they love most.

Ingredients

This bowl is loaded with vibrant, fresh ingredients that create the perfect balance of flavors. Check out what you'll need.

Chicken Fajitas

• Boneless chicken breasts: Sliced thin and seasoned for juicy, flavorful bites.
• Bell peppers: Go for a mix of yellow and red bell peppers for sweetness and color.
• Yellow onion: Adds that classic fajita vibe with a slightly caramelized, charred flavor.
• Olive oil: Helps everything cook to perfection.
• Fajita seasoning: Smoky, spicy, and the key to authentic fajita flavor.
• Garlic: Just a touch to enhance the flavors as the chicken and veggies cook.

Fajita Bowl

• Romaine lettuce: Crisp and fresh, it makes the base for the bowl.
• Cilantro lime rice: Light, fluffy rice with a citrusy punch that pairs well with the fajita flavors. Find the rice recipe in our post for Crockpot Cuban Pork.
• Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, they add a burst of color and flavor.
• Black beans: Protein-packed and earthy for added texture.
• Avocados: Cool, creamy slices that bring richness to every bite.
• Cheese: Cotija cheese or cheddar cheese—your choice! They both melt beautifully into the warm ingredients.
• Garnishes: Sliced jalapeños for heat, lime wedges for tang, and tortilla chips for crunch.

Mexican Salad Dressing

• Olive oil: The base of the dressing for a smooth, rich texture.
• Lime juice: Zesty and refreshing, it brightens everything up.
• Honey or maple syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the tangy lime.
• Fresh Cilantro: Fresh, herbaceous flavor that ties it all together.
• Garlic and oregano: Flavor boosters that give the dressing depth.
• Sea salt and black pepper: Seasons and enhances all the fresh flavors.

How to make a chicken fajita bowl

Chicken Fajitas

1. Mix the sliced chicken with 2 tablespoons of the fajita seasoning.
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet, either nonstick or cast iron skillet will work. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until done, about 9-10 minutes. In the last minute, add the minced garlic. Remove the chicken to a bowl and keep warm.
3. Toss the sliced peppers and onions with remaining 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning.
4. Add veggies to the skillet, adding a little more oil if needed, and cook until peppers are tender and onions are slightly caramelized, about 8 minutes.

Assembling the bowl

1. Start assembling the fajita rice bowls by laying a bed of chopped lettuce on the bottom of the bowl.
2. Place a scoop of cilantro lime rice on top of the lettuce in the center of the bowl.
3. Around the outside of the rice, add small amounts of cooked fajita-seasoned chicken, charred peppers and onions, black beans, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese and avocado slices. Garnish with a lime wedge, sliced jalapeno peppers, and a few tortilla chips, or toasted warm tortillas..

Mix the ingredients for the Mexican salad dressing in a small bowl or a mason jar. Whisk or shake to combine. Pour generously over the chicken fajita bowl or serve on the side.

This Chicken Fajitas Bowls recipe is a homemade fajita feast that is both easy to make and delicious to eat. Great for busy weeknights or a hearty lunch that I know the whole family will enjoy.

Recipe variations to make it your own

This recipe is easy to customize, so you can switch things up based on your mood or what’s in your fridge!

Meat: Swap the chicken for ground chicken, rotisserie chicken, ground beef, steak, shrimp, salmon, or turkey.

Rice: Switch up the base with steamed white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, flavorful Spanish cauliflower rice, or Spanish Quinoa rice.

Cheese: Try a Mexican cheese blend, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack for some extra kick.

Toppings: Add sweet corn, pico de gallo, salsa verde, sour cream, guacamole, or even pickled onions for a flavor boost.

Dressing: Change the vibe by using avocado lime ranch, chipotle lime crema, or creamy avocado crema.

Make ahead and meal prep for quick meals

Want to save time during the week? Here are some tips to prep ahead:

Chicken and veggies: Cook the fajita chicken and veggies up to 3 days ahead, cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Cilantro lime rice: Like the chicken and veggies, make a batch of rice in advance and keep it in the fridge. Even easier, you can also purchase 1 or 2 packages of 90-second cilantro lime rice from the grocery store.

Dressing: Whisk the dressing and store it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Toppings: Chop the tomatoes, shred the cheese, and slice the avocados just before serving for ultimate freshness.

How to Store Leftovers

Unassembled bowls: Store the chicken, veggies, rice, and toppings in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, simply warm the chicken, veggies and rice in the microwave, then assemble the bowl and add the dressing.

Assembled bowls: If you’ve already put the bowl together, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the lettuce may wilt slightly, and the avocados may brown.