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Chicken Fajita Foil Packets with seasoned chicken, bell peppers, onions, and black beans served in open foil with lime wedges.
Linda

Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

Juicy chicken and sizzling peppers cook together in sealed foil packets for the easiest weeknight fajitas with zero cleanup.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Vegetables
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2-inch strips
  • 3 medium bell peppers mixed colors, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
  • 1 large yellow onion sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 3 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 2 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
For the Fajita Seasoning
  • 1.5 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For Serving
  • 8 small flour tortillas warmed
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • 1/2 cup sour cream optional

Equipment

  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Large Rimmed Baking Sheet
  • Instant-read thermometer (optional)

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat your oven to 425F or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Tear four 12x18 inch sheets of heavy-duty foil and lay them on your counter. If using regular foil, double it up so the packets don't leak.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon olive oil and half the fajita seasoning. In a second bowl, toss the peppers and onion with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, lime juice, and the rest of the seasoning. This two-bowl method keeps the chicken from overcooking while the vegetables soften.
Assemble the packets
  1. Divide the pepper and onion mixture among the four foil sheets, mounding it in the center. Top each with an equal portion of seasoned chicken. Fold the long sides of foil up and over the filling, then fold down twice to seal. Fold in the short ends twice, crimping tightly to trap steam. Leave a little air space inside for heat circulation.
Cook
  1. Place packets on a rimmed baking sheet if baking, or directly on the grill grates. Cook for 22 to 25 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165F and the vegetables are tender-crisp. Carefully open one packet away from your face - hot steam will escape. The chicken should be opaque throughout with no pink.
Serve
  1. Let packets rest 2 minutes, then open carefully. Squeeze extra lime over the top if you have it, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve directly from the foil or slide onto warm tortillas with sour cream on the side.

Notes

For extra char, open the packets for the final 3 minutes of cooking or slide everything under the broiler briefly. These packets can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated - just add 5 minutes to the cook time. Swap in shrimp for the last 8 minutes of cooking time instead.