Need delicious and nutritious dinner options ready in just 25 minutes? This healthy dinner recipe delivers an impressive 34g of protein while keeping calories sensible at 424 per serving. Packed with vibrant vitamins A and C, plus essential minerals like iron and potassium, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen. The ideal balance of lean protein, smart carbs, and healthy fats will keep you satisfied and energized.
Ingredients for Healthy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken: 1½ lbs boneless skinless breasts, cut into ½-inch strips for quick cooking
- Fresh Vegetables: 3 colorful bell peppers and 1 yellow onion, sliced for perfect fajita texture
- Aromatics: 2 cloves minced garlic and ¼ cup fresh cilantro for authentic flavor
- Base Items: 8-10 flour tortillas, 3 tablespoons oil, 1 lime for finishing
- Seasoning Blend: Chili powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and optional cayenne
- Optional Toppings: Sour cream, avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly grease a large sheet pan
- Arrange: Layer sliced vegetables on pan, top with chicken strips for optimal cooking
- Season: Mix spices in a bowl, generously coat chicken and vegetables with the blend
- Oil & Garlic: Add minced garlic on chicken, drizzle oil over everything, and toss well
- Bake: Cook 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature
- Warm Tortillas: Wrap in foil, warm in oven during final 5 minutes
- Finish: Squeeze lime juice over everything, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with toppings
Cooking Techniques
Sheet pan cooking makes this recipe super simple! The key to perfect fajitas is cutting your chicken and veggies into similar-sized strips – this helps everything cook evenly. When spreading ingredients on your pan, try not to overlap them too much. This lets them roast instead of steam, giving you those lovely charred edges that make fajitas so tasty!
Easy Substitutions
Feel free to mix up the protein – shrimp works great and cooks even faster! For a vegetarian version, try using portobello mushrooms or extra-firm tofu. Can’t find fresh bell peppers? Frozen pepper strips work in a pinch. You can also swap flour tortillas with corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, or serve everything over rice for a fajita bowl!
Serving Suggestions
Set up a fun fajita bar! Put out bowls of shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Add some black beans on the side for extra protein. Want some heat? Offer sliced jalapeños or your favorite hot sauce. A squeeze of fresh lime brightens everything up, while warm tortillas make the perfect wrapper for all these goodies!
Storage Tips
Store leftover chicken and veggies in an airtight container in the fridge – they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. Keep tortillas separate to prevent them from getting soggy. When reheating, a quick zap in the microwave works, but for better results, try a hot skillet to bring back some of that crispy texture. The fajita seasoning mix can be made ahead and stored in a sealed jar for up to 3 months!
Healthy Dinner Ideas
Equipment
- Sheet pan
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced against the grain into 1/2-inch thick strips
- 3 bell peppers green, yellow and red, cored and sliced into strips
Fajita Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
Instructions
- Light grease a large sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cut chicken and vegetables into strips. Lay the vegetables evenly on the pan and place the chicken on top of them.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Combine seasoning ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir well to combine. Sprinkle most of the seasoning over the chicken, and some of it over the vegetables as well.
