Name: Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 6 h 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts (sliced horizontally to create 4 fillets, 1 1/2 pounds); 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons orange juice; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons liquid smoke; 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 3 bell peppers, thinly sliced (any mix of colors); 8-12 flour tortillas; 1 cup sour cream; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1-2 tablespoons lime juice (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon salt (for crema); 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (for crema); 1/4 cup packed cilantro, finely chopped; Cheese (optional, amount as desired); Guacamole or chopped avocados (optional, amount as desired); Salsa (optional, amount as desired); Chopped tomatoes (optional)

Nothing beats the sizzle of juicy chicken paired with sweet peppers and bold spices in this Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe. It’s a perfect blend of smoky, tangy, and spicy that turns an ordinary dinner into a fiesta-worthy feast with minimal fuss.

The image shows a black skillet filled with many dark brown grilled strips of meat piled in the center. To the side, there are bright slices of avocado with a smooth texture, light green in color. Behind the meat, there are colorful cooked veggies including red, orange, and yellow bell peppers mixed with green strips, all slightly glossy and soft. Some fresh green herb leaves are scattered on top of the meat and around the skillet. The skillet is sitting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely get excited every time I make this Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe—it’s one of those dishes that not only fills the kitchen with amazing aromas but also comes together quickly once the chicken’s marinated. Plus, it’s versatile and crowd-pleasing, which is a win in my book!

Flavor Explosion: The marinade and chipotle lime crema pack a punch of smokiness and zest, making every bite vibrant and flavorful.
Quick Weeknight Dinner: Once marinated, this recipe cooks up in under 15 minutes—great for busy nights when you want something delicious without the wait.
Customizable Toppings: You can easily make it as simple or as loaded as you like—with cheese, guac, salsa, or all the fixings.
Perfect for Sharing: It’s ideal for feeding a crowd or setting up a fajita bar, where everyone can build their own tasty creation.

The image shows a black cast iron pan with two main layers: on one side, dark brown strips of cooked meat with a slightly crispy texture, and on the other side, bright red, yellow, and green bell pepper strips mixed with onions, all lightly cooked with a soft texture. A few small green leafy herbs are scattered on top for garnish. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe plays a vital role—from the smoky spices in the marinade that tenderize the chicken to the citrus notes in the crema that brighten everything up. I always recommend using fresh produce and good-quality tortillas for the best results.

Flat lay of two large raw chicken breasts, half a red onion thinly sliced, three colorful bell peppers sliced into strips (red, yellow, and green), a stack of soft flour tortillas, small white bowls containing olive oil, brown sugar, orange juice, lime juice, reduced sodium soy sauce, Dijon mustard, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, dried oregano, ground black pepper, liquid smoke, sour cream, mayonnaise, and freshly squeezed lime juice, a small pile of finely chopped fresh cilantro, ripe avocados halved and chopped, shredded cheese, a small white bowl of fresh chopped tomatoes, black beans, and a bowl of salsa, all neatly arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, on simple white ceramic plates and bowls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken Breasts: Thinly sliced for quick, even cooking and perfect for salads or tortillas.
Red Onion: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch, balancing the smoky flavors.
Bell Peppers: Use a mix of colors for sweetness and vibrant presentation.
Olive Oil: Helps everything sauté beautifully without sticking.
Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramelized sweetness that complements the spices.
Orange Juice & Lime Juice: These citrus juices tenderize the chicken and add brightness.
Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth while keeping it lower sodium than regular soy sauce.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a slight tang and emulsifies the marinade.
Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Chipotle Chili Powder: These spices create the warm, smoky base flavor that makes the dish sing.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Boosts the savory notes without overpowering.
Liquid Smoke: The secret touch for that authentic grilled fajita taste even when cooking on the stovetop.
Sour Cream & Mayonnaise: Combined in the chipotle lime crema for creaminess and a zesty kick.
Cilantro: Fresh and bright, perfect to mix into crema and garnish.
Flour Tortillas: Soft, warm carriers for all those delicious fillings.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. I often switch up the peppers or add extra heat depending on my mood, and you should totally make it your own too!

Variation: For a smoky vegetarian twist, you can swap the chicken for portobello mushrooms or tofu—marinate and cook just the same. I’ve done this when friends come with different diets, and everyone still raves about the flavors!
Heat level: Add extra chipotle chili powder or a dash of hot sauce to the crema if you want to spice things up.
Make it gluten-free: Just switch out flour tortillas for corn tortillas or serve the fajita mix over a bed of rice or greens.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe

Step 1: Marinate for Maximum Flavor

Start by mixing all the marinade ingredients in a large freezer bag. I always remove a couple of tablespoons of this marinade before adding the chicken—that way, I use it later for the veggies, tying all the flavors together beautifully. Toss in the chicken and let it rest in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight if you can—this step makes a huge difference in juicy, flavorful chicken.

Step 2: Whip Up the Chipotle Lime Crema

While the chicken marinates, I mix the sour cream, mayo, lime juice, chopped cilantro, chipotle chili powder, and salt to make the chipotle lime crema. It’s creamy with just the right kick and tang to complement the smoky chicken. I store it in an airtight container in the fridge until serving.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Just Right

When you’re ready to cook, bring the chicken to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes so it cooks evenly. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pat off excess marinade from the chicken (too much marinade steams instead of sears), then add the pieces to the pan. Don’t move them for 2-3 minutes—let that gorgeous brown crust develop! Flip, cover, and reduce heat to medium; cook for another 2-4 minutes depending on thickness. Once done, transfer the chicken to a board, tent with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes—this keeps the juices locked in before slicing it thinly across the grain.

Step 4: Sauté the Veggies in Marinade Magic

In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil and the reserved marinade you saved earlier. Heat on medium-high and toss in the sliced onions—saute about a minute, then add the bell peppers. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until they’re crisp-tender but still bright and colorful. Adding the reserved marinade keeps the veggies nicely seasoned and ties all the flavors back to the chicken. Once soft, toss the sliced chicken back in and mix everything well.

Step 5: Assemble & Enjoy

Warm your tortillas—the easiest way is wrapping them in foil and popping them in the oven for a few minutes or warming in a dry skillet for a few seconds each. Pile on the chicken and veggie mix, drizzle generously with chipotle lime crema, and add your favorite toppings like cheese, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, and extra cilantro. Fold, bite, and savor!

Top Tip

After making this recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really boost the flavor and texture of your fajitas. These are the little things you don’t want to skip!

Marinate Long Enough: I used to skimp on marinating time and found the chicken less juicy. Overnight marination softens the meat and infuses it with smoky, sweet spices perfectly.
Dry Chicken Before Searing: Patting off excess marinade before cooking helps get that beautiful sear instead of steaming the chicken.
Don’t Overcook: Chicken cooks quickly here—too long and it dries out. Keep an eye during that covered cooking step and slice to check for doneness.
Use Reserved Marinade for Veggies: This not only seasons the peppers and onions but also connects the whole dish beautifully.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with shredded cheese and freshly chopped cilantro, but a scoop of creamy guacamole or tangy salsa really elevates the experience. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before eating adds that final punch that brightens everything up.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside black beans and a simple Mexican street corn salad for a full-on feast. Spanish rice or cilantro lime rice are also favorites in my house for soaking up any extra crema and juices from the fajitas.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love setting up a fajita bar with the chicken, veggies, warm tortillas, and multiple toppings in separate bowls—everyone builds their own perfect fajita. For a lighter twist, try serving the fajita mix over a crisp bed of mixed greens with dollops of crema—totally delicious and fresh!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken and veggies together in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for 3-4 days, and I recommend keeping the crema separate until serving to maintain its fresh texture.

Freezing

This fajita mix freezes surprisingly well. I portion it into freezer-safe containers and defrost in the fridge overnight. Just remember to freeze the crema separately or make a fresh batch—it doesn’t freeze as nicely.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat to keep the chicken juicy and veggies crisp-tender. Microwave works in a pinch, but I prefer stovetop reheating to preserve flavors and textures.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are more forgiving and can add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs might take a little longer to cook through.

How spicy is the chipotle lime crema?

The crema has a mild to moderate heat depending on how much chipotle chili powder you add. It’s smoky with a gentle kick, perfect for balancing the fajita flavors without overwhelming heat.

Can I prepare this recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! This recipe scales up easily and works great for making a fajita bar. Just multiply the marinade ingredients and have lots of toppings ready for guests to customize.

What’s the best way to warm tortillas?

I find wrapping tortillas in foil and warming them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes works wonders. If you’re in a hurry, a quick toast in a hot, dry skillet for about 15-20 seconds per side does the trick too.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Chicken Fajitas with Chipotle Lime Crema Recipe is truly one of those dishes I turn to again and again. It’s hearty, flavorful, and brings everyone to the table with smiles. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining friends, these fajitas deliver fuss-free, memorable meals packed with the kind of warmth and zest that makes home cooking so special. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!