These easy crockpot chicken fajitas are made with only 6 ingredients! Serve in tacos for a weeknight meal or in burrito bowls and salads for a healthy lunch! (gluten free, paleo, low carb)
Get ready because these crockpot chicken fajitas are going to become a staple in your kitchen for weeknight meals and easy lunches!
I love my slow cooker so much. I use it for soups, stews and meats a few times a month throughout the year, and at least once a week when the weather gets chilly. Not only does it make juicy and flavorful dishes that make the house smell amazing, but it’s so simple and easy to use, it’s perfect for those lazy days when you just want to set the slow cook timer and then forget about it.
Since it’s now officially fall (hello there, sweater weather!), I’m going to be using it on the regular so definitely expect more slow cooker recipes on Isabel Eats. Join me in kicking off slow cooker season with these crockpot chicken fajitas!
These crockpot fajitas are made with only 6 easy to find ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge. Even though they’re fairly ordinary on their own, through the magic of the slow cooker, all the flavors come together to make delicious fajitas without much effort!
Ingredients in Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts to keep things on the lighter side, but you can use chicken thighs instead for a richer and juicier flavor.
- Taco seasoning – I’m a big fan of making your own taco seasoning instead of buying pre-made store bought packets. Not only does it save me money in the long run, but it also ensures that my seasoning blend is free of fillers, preservatives, added sugar or funky ingredients that are often found in the pre-made packets. Here’s a super easy recipe for homemade taco seasoning that I love.
- Diced tomatoes – 1 10-ounce can is all you need. I used regular diced tomatoes, but you can use any of the canned varieties like fire-roasted, with garlic and onion or with green chiles. Any of those will work.
- Diced green chiles – A 4-ounce can of green chiles will do the trick. You can use either mild or hot depending on your preference. I usually try to use the hot version if I can find it at the store, but both will work.
- Bell peppers – You can use any color you choose! I used red and yellow bell peppers for these photos, but I often use mostly green bell peppers since they’re usually cheaper in the grocery store.
- Lime juice – Don’t forgo adding in some freshly squeezed lime juice at the end or right before serving. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference it makes!
How to make Crockpot fajitas
- Place the diced tomatoes and green chiles in the slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts on top and season them with taco seasoning.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.
- Add in the sliced bell peppers, cover and cook for 1 more hour.
- Remove the chicken from slow cooker, shred with a fork and place it back in the slow cooker.
- Add in some freshly squeezed lime juice, mix everything together and taste. Season with salt to taste.
Serving Suggestions
My personal favorite way of serving chicken fajitas is in warm corn tortillas topped with fresh cilantro and cotija cheese, but here are a few other ideas to jazz up your weeknight meals:
- in a burrito bowl with rice, lettuce, beans and sour cream
- on a tostada with refried beans
- in a gordita with your favorite salsa
- on sopes with lots of beans and cheese
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning
- 3 bell peppers, sliced into long strips
- juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Add diced tomatoes and diced green chiles into the slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts on top and season them with taco seasoning.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.
- Add the sliced bell peppers on top of the chicken, cover and cook for 1 more hour.
- Remove the chicken from slow cooker and shred with a fork. Transfer the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.
- Add freshly squeezed lime juice, mix everything together and taste. Season with salt if necessary.
Nutrition Information
Super easy to make and definitely the lime juice was an unexpected winner. Simply delicious and the recipe as stated made loads. I had to substitute picked jalapeños for the green chiles as couldn’t get any in my shops. So I diced up a small handful of the jalapeños instead and worked well
Can you use frozen chicken?
Hi! Yes, you can. Make sure to adjust your cook time or defrost before putting it in your crockpot.
It may not affect the taste, but just a heads up, using frozen chicken in a slow cooker is not recommended for safety reasons. Per the USDA: “Always defrost meat or poultry before putting it in the slow cooker. If you place frozen meat or poultry in a slow cooker it can spend too much time thawing, allow bacteria to multiply, and make you sick. Using defrosted foods will also ensure your meal cooks evenly and all the way through.”
Can you use lemon juice instead of like?
*lime juice
Could you use frozen chicken breast?
Hi Angie! Yes you can use them, it just may take longer to cook.
Can I cook this on low while I’m at work?
Yes! I would do it on low, and then when you come home from work, add the peppers in. Otherwise they’re get super soggy.
Are you supposed to drain the tomatoes?
No.
I’ve made it without either lime or lemon and it’s still always fabulous! I make this about once a week. (Thank you so much for an awesome recipe!) It’s also great over tortilla chips (i.e. nachos, add shredded cheddar and microwave for quick “meal.”
Going to try it this weekend (for game night) over the Walking Taco Fritos/Doritos brand Snack Bags w/the tear off tops + thicker packaging [meaning: not just over any ole bag of Fritos/Doritos, as those packages may not be as sturdy/heatproof] ;o)
I also like to use cut up sweet peppers vs bell peppers as they seem a bit more ‘sturdier’ in the final result. Of course the longer you wait to add to that last hour, the crisper they will be.
Yummmmmm!
How much is 1/10th of the recipe? In cups or grams or whatever?
This recipe looks great! I do want to add onions though. Should I add the onions in at the beginning or add them for the last hour with the peppers?
I would add them with the peppers. I hope you love it!
Does it freeze ok?
Hi! Yes, you can freeze this recipe and reheat later! The texture of the vegetables won’t be quite the same, but it will still taste delicious.
Hello, Can you add onions?
Yes! Onions would be perfect.
I made it at work for our taco bar. The whole pot was gone within the first ten minutes!! I’m making it again tonight at home tonight.
If I add onions, can I use frozen?
Making this for dinner tonight!
I want to make this!
Do you drain the tomatoes and green chilies?
Do you add water when you place the chicken in the crockpot?
You do not have to drain the green chiles and tomatoes or add water when you put the chicken in the crockpot.
I’ve made this more than once and it comes out awesome every time. Thanks for the easy delicious crockpot recipe.
Thanks, Keke! So glad you like it!
Sooo tasty! 😋😋😋😋
Thank you so much!
I was quite disappointed with this recipe unfortunately. I’m not sure what went wrong, but the fajitas turned into a soupy mess. There was so much liquid left over after cooking!! Even after shredding the chicken, the liquid was not absorbed. I made a batch of the taco seasoning recommended, but it would have been nice to know about how much to use in the fajita recipe. I definitely under seasoned everything, but that was my fault! Maybe there is something that causes my slow cooker to produce excess juice, but on the whole, the proportions of ingredients just didn’t work out at all.