Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 9 min
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 red onion, thinly sliced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 lime, zested and juiced; 2 tablespoon water or chicken broth; ½ tablespoon chili powder; ½ tablespoon cumin; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper

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This recipe uses simple fresh ingredients combined with homemade fajita seasoning to bring together Mexican-inspired flavors for an easy and healthy weeknight meal. In less than 30 minutes, you'll have a tasty fajita filling made from juicy chicken and tender-crisp veggies. I'm including tips on how to avoid soggy peppers too!

Chicken fajitas have traditionally been served sizzling on a skillet, but busy families don't always have time for that! That's why making Instant Pot fajitas has changed the game into a one-pot, dump-and-set meal that doesn't skimp on any of the flavors we've all come to love!

serving bowl of instant pot chicken fajitas with sides to make tacos.

Once you've made a batch of chicken fajitas, you'll learn how many other uses it has besides using it in a tortilla wrap! Serve it on rice or use it for quesadillas, salads, and even sandwiches. Save time and money by stretching it out for days!

Why This Recipe Works

Family Style. Fajitas are a favorite around here and what a way to serve a crowd. Yes, they're delicious, but it's also about the toppings! We love having all the toppings set out so that we can pick and choose our own.
One pot. Truly a one-pot meal that makes clean-up so easy.
Flavorful. The pressure cooker does an amazing job of infusing flavors and tenderizing meat. It's a taste explosion!

What's in the Homemade Fajita Seasoning?

I always recommend homemade seasoning because you can control what goes in and what stays out of it. Here's what's in my simple spice blend:

Chili powder
Cumin
Garlic powder
Paprika
Oregano
Salt
Pepper

Best Chicken for Fajitas

The chicken used for these chicken fajitas is cut into strips. The easiest way to do this is by using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally.

You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which can add flavor and juiciness, however it may need more cooking time.

Ingredients Needed

⬇️ Please scroll down to the recipe card to see the full ingredient amounts and instructions ⬇️

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

Prep: Cut bell peppers, onions, and chicken into slices. Cut the vegetables into thicker slices and cut the chicken into thin slices so that it all gets cooked evenly.

the process of slicing vegetables and chicken.

Step 1: Add sliced chicken, pepper slices, onion, olive oil, lime zest, juice, water, and fajita seasoning to the Instant Pot. Toss everything together with a pair of tongs. There is no need to preheat, or sauté anything. It's that easy!

chicken fajitas ingredients in the instant pot before pressure cooking.

Step 2: Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.

Step 3: Once the cooking time is over, do a quick release of the pressure by carefully moving the valve to venting. Open the lid, and toss everything once more.

cooked chicken fajitas in the instant pot.

Step 4: Serve warm in flour or corn tortillas loaded with your favorite toppings!

Variations & Substitutions

Swap some or all of the bell peppers for poblano or jalapeño for a spicier version.
Add mushrooms to the peppers for extra veggies.
Use this Instant Pot chicken fajitas recipe for beef fajitas instead! Use thin strips of beef with the veggies for a twist.
If you have a premade package of fajita seasoning and you're short on time, go ahead and use it.

Recipe Tips

Avoid overcooking the veggies. Do this by cutting the peppers into thicker strips than the chicken.
You can also sauté them first separately and then add them back into the pot at the end if you'd rather.
This recipe yields a lot of liquid, but that's ok! You want it so that it helps to avoid the burn notice. You also need liquid to create steam which pressure cooks what's inside the Instant Pot.
Make ahead for easy meal prep. Cut the chicken and slice the veggies and store them both in the fridge for up to 2 days ahead of time. Cook when ready.

Favorite Fajita Toppings

Guacamole or avocado
Lettuce
Cheese
Pico de Gallo or tomatoes
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Roughly chopped cilantro
Serve it with a side of Mexican rice or use tortillas to make tacos
Extra lime

serving bowl of instant pot chicken fajitas, plate with 3 tacos and bowls of toppings.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for Instant Pot chicken fajitas?

Unfortunately not. By the time your chicken cooks, the veggies will be way too overcooked and mushy. It's also harder for the seasoning to stick to frozen meat. It's best to thaw it out before cooking.

How to slice chicken breast?

I know I just told you to thaw it before cooking, but while it's still a bit frozen, that's when I like to use a sharp knife to slice it into strips. It's much easier when it's still slightly solid!

What to do with the remaining liquid?

Keep it! The remaining liquid has a ton of flavor, so sometimes I'll use it to cook my rice or use it in homemade enchilada sauce.
Alternatively, you could add a cornstarch slurry into the pot which will help it thicken up into a gravy-like sauce. You could use that to drizzle over the fajitas.

Storage Tips

Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You can also transfer them to a freezer-friendly bag and keep them frozen for up to 2 months.

Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop for a quick and easy lunch or dinner!

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