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posted by Katyaon Apr 6, 2020 (updated May 18, 2023) 13 comments »
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6 reviewsNo more rubbery and dried out baked chicken breast! With one simple trick, these chicken fajita lettuce wraps are juicy and flavorful. All made in the oven and served in a lettuce cup.
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Try these fajita lettuce wraps with Chopped Mexican Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps
I’ve been playing around with the idea of oven-baked chicken fajita wraps for quite some time now. I mean who doesn’t love a sheet-pan meal with easy steps and minimal clean up? I know I do!
These baked chicken fajitas are crazy simple to make. Super light and loaded with yummy flavor, similar to our fajita chicken pasta recipe. Not to mention they’re easy to customize with toppings of choice.
The trick to juicy chicken fajitas is brining the chicken in salt water prior to baking. It’s such a simple (and easy!) little trick but it makes a big difference in taste, texture, and tenderness of the chicken.
What is Chicken Fajita Wrap?
Chicken fajita wraps are baked chicken, onions, and bell peppers served in a lettuce cup with toppings of choice. Iceberg lettuce or butter lettuce works great for serving. You can also throw everything into a bowl for an easy fajita salad.
Love lettuce wraps? Try our lettuce wrap turkey tacos!
Ingredients You Will Need
You will need the following ingredients to make chicken fajitas:
FOR THE BRINE: water, kosher salt, and chicken breast. Also optional, garlic and black peppercorns.
VEGGIES & SEASONING: bell peppers (any color), sweet onion, avocado oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and lime juice.
How to Make Baked Chicken Fajita Recipe
Step 1:Combine water and kosher salt. Stir until the salt dissolves. Add chicken. Also, I like to add garlic and peppercorns for an extra boost of flavor. Let the chicken sit in the brine for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the chicken from the brine. Rinse under cold water, pat dry, and slice into 1/2-inch thick slices. Add to a large bowl, along with the sliced bell peppers and onions.
Step 3: Whisk the oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture and toss to combine.
Step 4: Transfer the chicken and vegetables onto a 17 X 12-inch rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven for 18-25 minutes. Toss halfway through the cooking.
Tip: Do not overcrowd the baking sheet, otherwise, the chicken and vegetables will steam out instead of roast. Use a 17 X 12-inch rimmed baking sheet or bigger.
Step 5: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken fajita filling and serve in a lettuce cup with toppings of choice.
What to Eat with Chicken Fajitas
Looking for what to serve with chicken fajitas? Try a variety of different toppings that are easy to customize to suit your taste:
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Cheese
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce
- Jalapeños
Or you can turn the chicken fajitas into a meal with these fresh and flavorful sides:
- Pineapple, Avocado and Bean Salsa
- Pineapple Rice
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Roasted Tomato Salsa
- Mexican Rice
- Refried Pinto Beans
If you love fajitas, try our Chicken Fajita Bowl Recipe.
Reheating Leftovers
Leftover chicken fajita filling will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored properly in an airtight container.
To reheat, simply add the cold chicken fajita filling to a non-stick skillet and reheat over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the mixture sticks to the pan, add a splash of water.
Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 6 reviews
- Author: Katya
- Prep Time: 45 min
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
No more rubbery and dried out baked chicken breast! With one simple trick, these oven-baked chicken fajitas are juicy and flavorful. All made in the oven and served as a lettuce wrap!
Ingredients
UnitsScale
Brine
- 4 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- Optional: 2 cloves garlic, peeled + smashed with side of knife
- Optional: 1 Tbsp. black peppercorns
Veggies + Seasoning
- 2 medium bell peppers (any color), cut into thin strips
- 1 large sweet onion, cut into 8–10 wedges
- 3 Tbsp. avocado oil
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 lime
- Black pepper, to taste
To Serve
- Iceberg or butter lettuce
- Guacamole
- Fresh salsa
- Sour cream or crema
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the water and salt. Stir until all of the salt has dissolved. Add the chicken breasts and optional add-ins (garlic and peppercorns). Let chicken sit in the mixture for 30 minutes, uncovered, at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 17 X 12-inch rimmed baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Remove the chicken from the brine, rinse under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Slice into 1/2-inch thick strips and add to a large bowl. If the chicken breast is thick, cut in half lengthwise and then slice into strips. To the chicken, add bell peppers and onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and veggies, and toss with tongs until fully coated.
- Bake, uncovered, for 18-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and vegetables are tender. Stir once halfway.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken mixture. Season with more salt to taste if needed. Serve in a lettuce cup with desired toppings of choice.
Notes
- Toppings: See blog post for more topping ideas.
- Leftovers: Leftover chicken fajita mixture will last in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Reheat leftovers in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water.
- Nutrition: Nutritional information does not include the toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 297
- Sugar: 3.3 g
- Sodium: 7916.4 mg
- Fat: 14.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 103.4 mg
Originally published in May 2016, updated April 2020 with new photos, rewritten post, and additional information. No change to the recipe.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Baked Chicken Cuisine Dairy Free Diet Gluten Free Low Carb Main Dishes Main Protein Method Mexican Recipes Sheet Pan
originally published on Apr 6, 2020 (last updated May 18, 2023)
13 comments Leave a comment »
About the author
Hi! I'm Katya -- a former corporate paralegal turned full-time recipe developer and blogger behind Little Broken. Here you'll find family-friendly and seasonal recipes made from real ingredients.
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13 comments on “Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps”
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Joseph Donahue — Reply
Thank you for sharing. I would love to eliminate grains as well. Did you take out potatoes as well? Ok, what do you eat the squash with or drizzle on top? Loving it.
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Faye — Reply
This was fabulous!!! I do Weight Watchers. I did not want to use the avocado oil as it would be too many points. Instead, I mixed the spices and 2 tablespoons of lime juice and just a little water. It worked great. I think this will become a regular at our house!! Zero WW points!!!! WOW!!! So good!!!
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Katya — Reply
So happy to hear that! Thank you Faye for your feedback.
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Ghulam Mohyudin — Reply
Good to know that works too! I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
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olga — Reply
My favorite recipe for fajitas, love that the toppings can be varied in so many ways
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Eve Hunt — Reply
I am definitely trying this! That imaginary person at the beginning of your post? Totally me. I work four ten-hour days so I can have 3-day weekends to work on my blog, and by the time I walk in the door at the end of a work day I can hardly think straight, let alone make a time-consuming recipe. This kind of dinner is just what I need!
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Katya — Reply
I hope you enjoy it!
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Justine — Reply
My go to for meal prep! I love this recipe it is by fR my fav.
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Katya — Reply
Thank you Justine! So glad you love these chicken fajita lettuce wraps!
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Tatiyana — Reply
Absolutely amazing fajitas. I made the pepper and chicken as directed, but then put it over a tortilla. Added cheese, sour cream, fresh diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. Everyone in my family LOVED them! Thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe.
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Katya — Reply
That’s so great! Glad your family enjoyed them. Thank you for feedback Tatiyana.
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RaeAnn — Reply
Your Fajitas were awesome, my family raved over it!!
Thank you, RaeAnn
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Katya — Reply
Thanks so much RaeAnn! So glad your family loved them.
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