Description
This Baked Fajita Chicken Breasts recipe offers a simple and flavorful way to enjoy a classic Tex-Mex dish. Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with a homemade fajita spice blend, baked to perfection, and optionally roasted with bell peppers and onions for an easy, delicious meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lime, juiced
Optional Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional, for serving)
- 1 onion, sliced (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create the fajita seasoning blend.
- Prepare Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, ensuring they are coated evenly, then sprinkle both sides generously with the fajita seasoning mix.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a lightly greased baking dish for easy cleanup.
- Add Lime Juice: Squeeze fresh lime juice evenly over the chicken breasts to add a zesty flavor.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Roast Vegetables (Optional): During the last 5 minutes of baking, add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the baking sheet to roast alongside the chicken for added flavor and color.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices, then serve with the roasted vegetables if using.
Notes
- Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally using a meat thermometer for safe consumption.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the fajita seasoning and lime juice for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- Use parchment paper or a lightly greased baking dish to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Adjust seasoning quantities to taste if you prefer more or less spice.
- Serve with tortillas, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
