Celebrate National Fajita Day on August 18th with a quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Fajita recipe! Then lay it all out and create a fajita bar for your family to enjoy! Have fun and enjoy!!
Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into thin strips)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 small red onion (sliced into thin strips)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade recipe below)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 8 small flour tortillas (whole wheat or regular)
Optional Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup guacamole
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup sliced olives
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Cut the chicken into thin strips.
- Slice the bell peppers and red onion.
- Sauté the Chicken:
- Set the Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add the olive oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken strips and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they are slightly browned.
- Add the Vegetables:
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the chicken and vegetables.
- Pour in the chicken broth and lime juice.
- Cook Under Pressure:
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to "Sealing."
- Set the Instant Pot to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on high for 6 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Serve:
- Open the lid and stir the fajita mixture.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Serve the chicken and vegetable mixture with the tortillas and your choice of optional toppings.
Tips:
- Homemade Fajita Seasoning: Mix together 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, and a pinch of salt.
- Make it Spicy: If your family likes heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
- Serve with Sides: Include a side of rice, beans, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
This Instant Pot fajita recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner and ensures the chicken and veggies come out tender and flavorful every time!
THEN Create a Fun Fajita Bar for Maximum Family Participation
Turning your fajita night into a fun, interactive experience can make mealtime more enjoyable and encourage everyone to get involved. Here’s how to set up a fajita bar that’s engaging for the whole family:
Setting Up the Fajita Bar:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Cooked Fajita Base: Follow the Instant Pot recipe above to prepare the chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Toppings: Arrange a variety of toppings in separate bowls. Include options such as shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and black beans.
- Warm the Tortillas:
- Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until warm and pliable. Keep them wrapped in a clean kitchen towel to stay warm.
- Create a Fajita Station:
- Set up a table or counter with all the fajita ingredients arranged in an easy-to-reach manner.
- Pro Tip! Lay down tinfoil or parchment paper for a quick and easy cleanup!
- Label each bowl or dish to help family members choose their favorite toppings.
Involving the Family:
- Build-Your-Own Fajitas:
- Let everyone create their own fajitas by selecting their preferred ingredients. Start with a tortilla, add the chicken and vegetable mixture, and then pile on the toppings.
- Encourage kids to experiment with different combinations and make their own unique fajitas.
- Personalize Toppings:
- Offer a variety of toppings so each person can customize their fajitas to their liking. Kids might enjoy building their own “fajita masterpiece” with their favorite ingredients.
- Fun Presentation:
- Use colorful bowls and plates to make the meal visually appealing.
- Provide small serving utensils or tongs for easy handling of toppings.
- Involve Kids in Prep:
- Have kids help with washing and slicing vegetables (under supervision) or arranging toppings on the table.
- Allow older kids to assist in cooking or setting up the fajita bar.
- Interactive Activity:
- Turn fajita night into a fun challenge by having a “fajita contest” to see who can create the most creative or delicious fajita combination.
- Share and vote on everyone’s favorite combinations to add an element of friendly competition.
- Make it a Meal Experience:
- Serve the fajitas with side dishes like rice, beans, or a fresh salad to round out the meal.
- Include a dessert option or a family favorite beverage to complete the experience.
By setting up a fajita bar, you create an engaging and enjoyable dining experience where everyone can participate in making their own meals and experimenting with different flavors.
Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas Nutrition Information
Portions:
- This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Chicken and Veggie Mixture:
- Calories: ~250
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~10g
- Fat: ~10g
1 Small Flour Tortilla:
- Calories: ~100
- Protein: ~2g
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Fat: ~3g
Optional Toppings (per serving):
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese:
- Calories: ~110
- Protein: ~7g
- Carbohydrates: ~1g
- Fat: ~9g
- 2 tablespoons sour cream:
- Calories: ~60
- Protein: ~1g
- Carbohydrates: ~1g
- Fat: ~5g
- 1/4 cup guacamole:
- Calories: ~90
- Protein: ~1g
- Carbohydrates: ~8g
- Fat: ~8g
- 1/4 cup salsa:
- Calories: ~20
- Protein: ~1g
- Carbohydrates: ~5g
- Fat: ~0g
Total Calories for One Fajita (with tortilla and basic toppings):
- Calories: ~560
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Fat: ~27g
Notes:
- These values are estimates based on standard ingredient quantities and can vary based on specific brands and quantities used.
- For more precise nutritional information, consider using a nutritional calculator with the exact ingredients and quantities you use.
