Gather your loved ones and enjoy a delicious and healthy meal together with this Healthy Crispy Chicken Fajitas platter! Juicy chicken tenders with a whole wheat crumb, a Mexican-inspired fajita seasoning mix, and lots of nutritious veggies make for a dish that’s both flavorful and satisfying. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Fajitas are a Friday night favorite in our house, and for good reason! They’re a delicious and healthy meal that’s easy to make and customize. Plus, they’re a great way to avoid ordering takeout. 😉
This recipe is inspired by the Old El Paso Mexican Crispy Chicken Fajita Kit but with a healthy twist. We’re using whole wheat breadcrumbs to coat the chicken tenders and baking them until golden brown and crispy. Plus, this recipe is loaded with delicious and nutritious real food ingredients.
If you love this chicken recipe, you might also like Chicken Peri Peri Shawarma, Baked Sticky Chicken Drumsticks, or Oven-Baked Chicken Dippers.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy. These breaded chicken fajitas use lean chicken and whole grains for plenty of protein and fiber. It’s also packed with vegetables, which are low in calories and high in nutrients.
- Easy and delicious. Fajita-seasoned crispy chicken adds so much crunch and flavor to your wraps and tacos. And it’s so easy to make at home.
- Great for sharing. I like to serve these crispy chicken fajitas on a sharing platter to make mealtimes more fun. This way, everyone can assemble their own fajitas with their favorite toppings. It’s a great way to enjoy a meal together and a crowd-pleaser at potlucks, parties, and other gatherings.
Health Benefits: One of the most delicious flavors in these fajitas is bell peppers, which are an excellent source of vitamins A, E, and C. As well as active compounds that are beneficial to our health. Studies have shown that bell peppers have the potential to lower inflammation, stabilize blood sugar levels, and support the immune system. [Source]
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this crispy chicken fajitas recipe:
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Crispy Chicken Fajita Seasoning Mix: Making your own fajita seasoning at home really couldn’t be easier. This spice blend is a simple mix of chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt flakes, and pepper.
- Vegetables: Onions and peppers are the go-to fajita vegetables. I’m using yellow and red pepper here as they are sweeter than green bell peppers. But you can use whatever mix of colors you prefer.
- Breaded Crispy Chicken: I’m using chicken tenders as they’re a great size for coating and baking without drying out, whole wheat (wholemeal) breadcrumbs to coat the chicken, low-fat Greek yogurt to stick the breadcrumbs to the chicken, and some of the fajita seasoning mix to add lots of flavor.
TO SERVE: OPTIONAL
A big part of what makes fajitas fun to eat is the toppings. But have you noticed toppings can often get a bad rap for being “unhealthy?” And yeah, a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese and lashings of sour cream will add some calories for sure. That said, don’t be afraid of enjoying those ingredients in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Here are some of my favorite “healthier” topping indulgences that don’t taste like healthy options…
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Homemade tomato salsa or sliced cherry tomatoes
- Pickled red onions
- Charred sweetcorn
- Avocado or guacamole
- Shredded Iceberg lettuce
- Wholewheat, sweet potato, or spinach wraps
- Pita (pitta)
- Lettuce wraps
- Freshly chopped cilantro leaves (fresh coriander leaves)
- Sliced jalapeños
- Black beans
- Brown rice or cauliflower rice
Instructions
These visual step-by-step instructions provide a quick overview of the recipe. You can find the recipe card with the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions at the bottom of this post. ⇩
1: Place chicken pieces, yogurt, and half of the fajita spice mix into a big bowl. Toss everything really well until the chicken is evenly coated.
2: Dip each chicken tender into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere well. Place the chicken tenders onto a lined baking sheet.
3: Once all the tenders are breaded, spray with olive oil cooking spray.
4: In a second bowl, add the peppers, a tablespoon of oil, and the remaining fajita seasoning mix. Toss to combine.
5: Pour the peppers onto a second baking sheet. Bake the chicken and peppers in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Toss everything halfway through.
6: The chicken should be crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside.
7: The peppers and onions should have softened and be slightly charred.
8: Load everything onto a platter or individual plates and serve with your choice of toppings.
Top Tips
Don’t overcook the chicken. Overcooking will make the chicken tough and dry.
Cook the chicken and vegetables on separate baking sheets. To ensure the breadcrumbs form a crispy, crunchy coating.
Serve the fajitas hot and fresh. So the chicken remains succulent, and the crispy coating stays crunchy.
Substitutions
Don’t have all the ingredients or want to make some swaps? No problem. Here are some ideas for you to try:
- Chicken Tenders: No chicken tenders? No problem. You can slice chicken breasts into thin strips.
- Homemade Seasoning: Adjust the spices to your liking or use pre-made fajita seasoning packets for convenience. Just check the labels to avoid excess sugars, salt, and additives.
- Low-Sodium: Reduce or omit the salt if you’re watching your sodium intake.
- Vegetables: Zucchini (courgette) and mushrooms make great additions or replacements for onions and peppers.
Serving Suggestions
A big part of what makes fajitas fun to eat is the toppings. But have you noticed toppings can often get a bad rap for being “unhealthy?” And yeah, a mountain of shredded cheese and sour cream will add some calories for sure. That said, don’t be afraid of enjoying those ingredients in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Here are some of my absolute favorite toppings that don’t taste like healthy options:
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice
- Homemade tomato salsa or sliced tomatoes
- Pickled red onions
- Sweetcorn
- Avocado or guacamole
- Iceberg lettuce
- Wholewheat, sweet potato, or spinach wraps, pita (pitta) breads or lettuce wraps
- Freshly chopped cilantro leaves (fresh coriander leaves)
- Sliced jalapeños
- Beans
- Brown rice or cauliflower rice
Storage
Crispy Chicken Fajitas are best eaten fresh. But, by following these storage tips, you can enjoy them for a few days.
REFRIGERATION
First, cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the crispy chicken and vegetables to separate airtight containers, or the crispy chicken coating will become soggy. Store in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking and consume within 3-4 days.
FREEZING
Crispy Chicken Fajitas are not suitable for freezing.
REHEATING
Reheating crispy chicken fajitas while maintaining the crispiness of the breaded chicken can be challenging. Still, it’s possible with the correct method. Here’s how:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover crispy chicken on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. This will help prevent the chicken from drying out while allowing some heat to circulate. Reheat for about 10-15 minutes. Check after 10 minutes to see if the chicken is heated through and the breadcrumbs are still crispy. You can remove the foil for the last couple of minutes to help the breadcrumbs regain some crispiness.
- Air Fryer: If you have an air fryer, this can be an excellent way to reheat crispy items like chicken tenders. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Depending on your model, place the chicken and vegetables in a single layer in the air fryer basket or rack. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure they don’t overcook. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer.
- Stovetop Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil or cooking spray to the skillet to prevent sticking. Cover the leftover crispy chicken fajitas in the skillet with a lid. Reheat for about 3-5 minutes, flipping the chicken and stirring the vegetables occasionally. Keep the lid on to help create some steam, maintaining moisture and preventing the chicken from drying out. You can remove the cover for the last few minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to crisp up again.
FAQs
Chicken fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish made with marinated and grilled chicken, sautéed bell peppers and onions, and a blend of spices. They are typically served wrapped in tortillas and garnished with various toppings.
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken tenders. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook.
Fajitas and tacos are both popular Mexican dishes, but there are some key differences. Tacos are typically smaller and made with soft corn tortillas, while fajitas are larger and made with flour tortillas. Tacos can be made with a variety of fillings, including meat, seafood, vegetables, and beans, while fajitas are typically made with grilled or sauteed strips of meat, peppers, and onions.
Yes, you can prepare some components of the fajitas ahead. For example, you can blend the fajita seasoning, coat the chicken with the yogurt and spices, and chop the vegetables in advance.
More Chicken Recipes
Looking for more delicious chicken recipes? Try these next time…
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📖 Recipe
Healthy Crispy Chicken Fajitas (Breaded and Baked)
If you love this recipe, rate it with 5 stars below!
PRINT PIN RATEEquipment
- Small Bowl, for fajita seasoning mix
- 2 Large Bowls, for coating and breading the chicken pieces
- 2 Large Sheet Pans, (large baking trays)
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon chili powder, (chilli powder)
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound (450 grams) chicken tenders (chicken mini fillets), dabbed dry with some paper towel.
- ½ cup (140 grams) plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 cup (120 grams) whole wheat breadcrumbs
- extra virgin olive oil cooking spray
- 4 bell peppers, any colors, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 whole wheat tortilla wraps, or crunchy lettuce cups, and your favorite toppings like salsa, corn, avocado, and sour cream.
Instructions
- Prepare: Gather and prepare your ingredients. Preheat oven to 400ºF/200ºC/Gas Mark 6. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment (baking paper).
- Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine all the fajita seasoning ingredients (chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, ground coriander, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper).
- Chicken Tenders: Add the chicken tenders, yogurt, and half the fajita seasoning into a large bowl. Toss chicken until it's well coated in the yogurt and spices. You can do this in a shaker bag if you prefer.
- Breadcrumbs: Pour the whole wheat breadcrumbs onto a rimmed plate. Dip each chicken tender into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere well to both sides. Place the breaded chicken tenders onto one of the lined baking sheets (baking tray). Once all the tenders are breaded, spray them with olive oil cooking spray.
- Vegetables: In a second large bowl, add the peppers, onions, olive oil, and remaining fajita seasoning. Toss well to coat. Pour the peppers onto the second baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the tray of chicken and the tray of vegetables in the hot oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through. Toss everything halfway through baking. At the end of the cooking time, the crispy chicken strips should be golden brown, crunchy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside, and the peppers and onions should have softened and be slightly charred.
- Serve: Load everything onto a platter or individual plates and serve with your favorite toppings. I’ve added charred sweetcorn, cooling sour cream, homemade pickled red onions or sliced red onion, chunky salsa, juicy tomatoes, lime wedges, iceberg lettuce, and warm tortillas. A delicious combination of creamy, crunchy, tangy, sweet, and juicy all on one plate!
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated using an online nutrition calculator. For accuracy, we recommend you calculate using the exact ingredients and brands you used.
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