Chicken Fajita Rice

Looking for a quick, delicious, and easy dinner idea? This Chicken Fajita Rice recipe is the perfect solution! Packed with classic fajita flavors you love without the need for tortillas. Ideal for busy weeknights, this easy chicken and rice dinner comes together in under 30 minutes and is as fun to make as it is to eat!

Why We Love This Chicken Fajita Rice Recipe

You know that delicious flavorful rice you get on the side when you’re out at a Mexican restaurant? This chicken fajita rice just like that – but even better. We make fajitas at home a lot. It’s a great way to get vegetables into your diet if you need to sneak them in for picky kids or even picky adults.

What I love about fajitas is that nice, charred flavor that’s on the onions and peppers from a really hot skillet or griddle. You can get that same effect at home by using a really hot pan and letting the vegetables char by not moving them around too much.

Then we added peppers and onions to mimic a fried rice recipe with chicken and salsa and avocados to get that same fajita effect right in a bowl of rice!

Ingredients To Make Chicken Fajita Rice:

This delicious fried rice recipe only takes minutes to make, especially if you’re using a rotisserie chicken. Leftover chicken works great, too, or you can throw a couple of chicken breasts or thighs in the oven or on the grill. For a complete list of ingredients with amounts needed, head to the recipe card below.

1. White Rice: Leftover rice is perfect, or cook rice up and let it cool a bit so the grains separate.
2. Cooked Chicken: Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, or throw a couple chicken breasts or thigh in the oven or on the grill.
3. Peppers: Any color will do, we like to use a mix of colors.
4. Onions:  Yellow or red, red will be a little sharper but get sweet when cooked.
5. Garlic: Fresh is best but you can also add garlic powder to make it easier.
6. Salsa: Whatever kind of salsa you like, mild or spicy, OR you can substitute tomato sauce.
7. Cumin: We LOVE cumin, start with a little and add more if you like the flavor.
8. Chili Powder: You can use mild or spicy, whatever you like.

How To Make Chicken Fajita Fried Rice

Step by step photos here with brief instructions for a visual aid. For complete, detailed instructions, head to the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Add the tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the peppers and onions to the pan and cook for 7-8 minutes until softened and slightly charred. Stir in the garlic.

• Add the chicken to the pan and toss with the vegetables. Let the chicken cook for a minute just to get warm it through, then season with the cumin, chili powder and salt.

• Add the rice and the salsa to the skillet and stir gently to combine. Taste for seasonings and adjust if needed.

Tips For Success

• Make the rice ahead of time: You definitely don’t have to do this step, but if you have the time, try and make the rice ahead of time and let it cool in the refrigerator. This way the grains will separate and it won’t end up mushy in the finished dish. You can also grab a container of cooked rice from your favorite Chinese restaurant!
• Char the vegetables: Let the vegetables sit for a little while as you’re cooking them so that they get a nice charred flavor, like chicken fajitas. It only takes a couple of minutes and it really adds to the flavor.
• Don’t forget the toppings: While this chicken fajita rice is certainly delicious on it’s own, a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a drizzle of queso really adds to the fun! Also try diced avocado or your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Variations

Pretty much anything you’ve got in the fridge! That’s another reason why we love making fried rice, it’s so easy to dump everything into the wok and have it on the table in minutes.

Here’s some great swap out ideas:

• Make our Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken, have dinner and then use the leftover chicken to make this recipe.
• Use our homemade Spanish Rice and then skip the salsa.
• Leftover steak or any type of protein, ground pork, chicken or turkey.
• Add broccoli, cabbage or different kinds of vegetables instead of or in addition to the one we have in this recipe.
• Brown rice or cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
• Black beans for added protein, or leave the chicken out for a vegetarian dinner recipe.

Looking For More Delicious Dinner Recipe With Rice?

• Hibachi Pork Fried Rice
• Steak Fajita Fried Rice
• Philly Cheesesteak Fried Rice
• Corned Beef & Cabbage Fried Rice (perfect for using up leftover corned beef!)
• Italian Fried Rice

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