Chicken Fajita Bowls: Smoky Skillet Chicken & Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce

Why Chicken Fajita Bowls are a weeknight dinner favorite

Chicken Fajita Bowls are the kind of weeknight dinner that saves you when you want something fast, healthy, and full of flavor. Everything cooks in one skillet, and the ingredients are simple: seasoned chicken, sautéed peppers and onions, black beans, and a creamy cilantro lime yogurt sauce that makes the bowl taste fresh and satisfying. This is also an easy chicken recipe to keep on repeat because it’s flexible—use brown rice for a hearty family dinner, or cauliflower rice for a lighter healthy dinner. If you’re feeding multiple people, it’s easy to serve “build-your-own” style so everyone gets what they like. And because the components store well, these Chicken Fajita Bowls are also a strong meal prep option for lunches that don’t feel boring.

Skillet fajita chicken with peppers and onions sizzling, ready for bowls
Fast fajita flavor for weeknight dinner

How to cook fajita chicken fast without drying it out

The secret to juicy fajita chicken is high heat and short cooking time. Sliced chicken breast cooks quickly, so you want your skillet hot before the chicken goes in. Cook it 5–7 minutes, stir occasionally, and pull it as soon as it’s cooked through. Overcooking is what dries chicken out. If you’re meal prepping, slightly undercook by a tiny bit and let it finish when reheating, so it stays tender. Using chicken thighs also works great and can be even more forgiving. For weeknight dinner speed, slice chicken evenly so it cooks at the same time. This method makes Chicken Fajita Bowls reliable, fast, and repeatable for family dinner without the stress.

Best bases for a healthy dinner: brown rice vs cauliflower rice

For Chicken Fajita Bowls, the base can match your goals. Brown rice is hearty and satisfying for family dinner, and it’s great for meal prep because it reheats well. Cauliflower rice makes the bowl lighter for a healthy dinner approach, and it’s perfect if you want more veggies and fewer carbs. You can also do a half-and-half mix to keep the bowl filling but lighter. For weeknight dinner, use whatever you already have cooked—leftover rice is a huge time-saver. No matter which base you pick, the black beans add fiber and help the bowl feel complete, making this easy chicken recipe a balanced meal that keeps you full.

Pro Tips 💡 :

“For a lighter healthy dinner, use cauliflower rice and increase veggies.”

Meal prep tips: how to store Chicken Fajita Bowls for best texture

These Chicken Fajita Bowls are meal prep-friendly if you store components the smart way. Keep rice (or cauliflower rice), chicken, and veggies together, but store lettuce separately so it stays crisp. Keep the cilantro lime yogurt sauce in a small container and add it right before eating. Black beans can be stored with the warm components or separately. For weeknight dinner leftovers, this setup makes next-day lunches quick and satisfying. For family dinner planning, it’s also a “cook once, eat twice” recipe that saves time. If you’re reheating, warm the chicken and veggies first, then add lettuce and sauce after so everything tastes fresh.

Print
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Square close-up of chicken fajita bowl with creamy cilantro lime sauce and black beans

Recipe: Chicken Fajita Bowls


  • Author: Sierra Freshfield
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x

Description

Fast skillet Chicken Fajita Bowls with fajita veggies, black beans, and a creamy cilantro lime yogurt sauce. Perfect weeknight dinner, family dinner, meal prep, and healthy dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • For the fajita veggies
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

For the base

  • 2 cups cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce

For the sauce

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Optional toppings

  • Pico de gallo
  • Avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Toss chicken with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes until cooked through. Remove to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, add veggies with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Cook 4–6 minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Stir Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and salt for the sauce.
  5. Assemble bowls with rice, lettuce, black beans, fajita veggies, and chicken. Drizzle with cilantro lime yogurt sauce and add toppings if desired.

Notes

  • For meal prep, store lettuce and sauce separately, then assemble right before eating.
  • For a lighter healthy dinner, use cauliflower rice and increase veggies.
  • For family dinner, set toppings out and let everyone build their bowl.
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 Minutes
  • Category: Bowl
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Healthy

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 550Kcal
  • Fat: 20g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Protein: 35g

Keywords: Chicken Fajita Bowls

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