Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl

This Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl is an easy and flavorful dinner made with sheet-pan fajita chicken and vegetables, fluffy cilantro lime rice, and your favorite toppings. Add sour cream and avocado for a creamy finishing touch.

🥰 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy & Convenient: Cook the chicken and vegetables together on one sheet pan while the rice cooks separately.
• Healthy & Nourishing: Packed with lean chicken, colorful vegetables, rice, and healthy fats from avocado.
• Flavorful & Customizable: Easily switch up the vegetables, rice, or toppings to make the bowl your own.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Bell Peppers & Onion: Classic fajita vegetables that add sweetness, color, and a little crunch. Use any color of bell pepper or onion you prefer.

Chicken Tenderloins: Tenderloins cook quickly and evenly, making them ideal for this recipe. You can also use chicken breasts cut into thin 1½-inch strips, but they may need a little extra cooking time.

Chicken Fajita Seasoning: A blend of chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder gives the chicken its signature fajita flavor. Store-bought fajita or taco seasoning can also be used.

Lime Juice & Cilantro: Stirring fresh lime juice and cilantro into cooked rice gives it a bright, fresh flavor. You can skip them if preferred.

White Rice: Use white rice, brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or another cooked grain of your choice.

Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds a fresh crunch to the bowl. Shredded cabbage or spinach are also great alternatives.

Sour Cream & Avocado: These classic toppings add creaminess and flavor. You can also add salsa, pico de gallo, chopped tomatoes, or shredded cheese.

Full ingredient list and measurements are provided in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Fajita Bowls

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables: Slice the bell peppers and onion, then spread them on a sheet pan. Toss with olive oil and salt.

Step 2: Season the Chicken: Add the chicken tenderloins to a bowl and toss with fajita seasoning and the remaining olive oil.

Step 3: Bake: Arrange the seasoned chicken over the vegetables and bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Once cooked, shred or slice the chicken.

Step 4: Make the Rice: Prepare the rice according to the package directions. Fluff with a fork, then stir in fresh lime juice and cilantro.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowls: Divide the lettuce, cilantro lime rice, chicken, and fajita vegetables between bowls. Finish with sour cream and mashed or smashed avocado.

Variations

Add More Toppings: Try shredded cheese, salsa, hot sauce, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, or pico de gallo.

Make It Spicy: Replace 1 teaspoon of the regular chili powder with 1 teaspoon of chipotle chili powder for a smoky kick.

Make a Beef Bowl: Swap the chicken for shredded beef for a hearty variation.

Change the Rice: Use Mexican rice or poblano rice instead of cilantro lime rice for a different flavor.

How to Meal Prep

Prep

1. Prepare the chicken, vegetables, rice, and toppings as directed in the recipe.
2. Divide the cooked rice, chicken, and vegetables evenly between meal prep containers.
3. Store toppings such as lettuce, avocado, and sour cream separately.
4. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Assembly

1. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the rice, chicken, and vegetables in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, or until heated through.
2. Add the fresh lettuce and your favorite toppings before serving.