Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
When it comes to a quick, satisfying, and versatile meal, fajitas always hit the spot. With this Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas recipe, you can enjoy tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables infused with bold fajita flavors—all ready in no time! This one-pot wonder keeps the mess to a minimum and the flavor at maximum.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights with just 4 minutes of cooking time.
- Full of Flavor: Homemade fajita seasoning brings out the best in every bite.
- Customizable: Build your fajitas with your favorite toppings and garnishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced into ½-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water
- 2 bell peppers (thinly sliced; choose red, yellow, or orange)
- 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
- Homemade fajita seasoning (Try this recipe for a flavorful blend!)
For Serving:
- Tortillas
- Avocado slices
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Salsa
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Season the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix the homemade fajita seasoning.
- Place the sliced chicken in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, stir to coat, then sprinkle with the seasoning blend. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated. (Tip: Don’t mix directly in the Instant Pot insert to avoid a burn warning.)
- Layer Ingredients in the Instant Pot
- Add the seasoned chicken evenly to the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
- Pour in the broth and lime juice for added moisture.
- Layer the sliced bell peppers and onions on top of the chicken.
- Pressure Cook
- Close the lid and set the vent to Sealing.
- Select Manual (or Pressure Cook on some models) and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes. It will take 10-15 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
- Quick Release & Serve
- Once the cooking time ends, perform a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid and stir to coat the peppers and onions in the sauce. Let it rest for a few minutes to thicken the sauce slightly, if desired.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl, leaving excess liquid in the pot.
- Build Your Fajitas
- Serve the chicken and veggies in warm tortillas. Add your favorite toppings such as avocado, sour cream, salsa, cheese, lime juice, and fresh cilantro.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Skip the Homemade Fajita Seasoning: It’s easy to make and adds a vibrant, authentic flavor to your dish.
- Adjust to Your Spice Preference: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Serve Fresh Toppings: Fresh lime juice, cilantro, and creamy avocado are must-haves to elevate your fajitas.
Storage and Leftovers
Store leftover chicken fajita filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick meal.
Why Use an Instant Pot for Fajitas?
The Instant Pot not only speeds up the cooking process but also locks in moisture and flavor. The result? Perfectly tender chicken and vibrant vegetables every time!
Make dinner exciting with this easy Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas recipe. It’s fast, flavorful, and customizable—perfect for a cozy night in or a fun family dinner. Let us know your favorite toppings in the comments below! 🌶️✨
Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts thinly sliced (1/2-inch pieces) (three 8-ounce breasts)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water
- 2 bell peppers thinly sliced (red, yellow or orange)
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- homemade fajita seasoning https://thisoldbaker.com/fajita-seasoning-mix/
For serving
- tortillas
- avocado
- sour cream or Greek yogurt
- salsa
- grated cheddar cheese
- lime wedges
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all the seasoning ingredients until well combined.
- Place the sliced chicken in a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, stir to coat, then sprinkle in the spices. Gently mix it up until the chicken is evenly coated in spices. Tip: don’t do this mixing right in the pressure cooker – the spices can stick to the bottom of the insert and cause a burn warning.
- Layer the seasoned chicken evenly along the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. Pour in the broth and lime juice. Layer the bell peppers and onion on top of the chicken.
- Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Pressure cook on Manual High pressure for 4 minutes (your Instant Pot may have a “Pressure Cook” button rather than a “Manual” button, depending on the model). It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure.
- At the end of cooking time, quick release the pressure. Give it a stir to coat the peppers in onion in the sauce. You can let it rest for a few minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly, if desired.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl, leaving excess liquid in the pot. Serve with your favourite garnishes. Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.