Queso Chicken Fajita Skillet 🌶️🧀🍗
Cheesy, sizzling, and bursting with Tex-Mex flavor, this Queso Chicken Fajita Skillet is a one-pan dinner that’s bold, melty, and downright irresistible. Juicy chicken strips, colorful bell peppers, and onions are cooked to perfection, then smothered in a creamy, cheesy queso sauce that ties everything together. It’s quick enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to serve at any gathering. 😍
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ¼ cup salsa or Rotel (optional for extra spice)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and season with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss everything together.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until warmed. Add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring continuously until melted into a smooth, creamy queso sauce. For an extra flavor kick, stir in a few spoonfuls of salsa or Rotel.
Simmer for 1–2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken and veggies evenly. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Tips for Perfect Flavor
For a smoky twist, add a dash of chipotle powder or smoked paprika. If you want a lighter option, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for the sauce. Serve immediately while hot — the queso sauce thickens as it cools.
Serving Ideas
Serve this skillet dish over rice, inside warm tortillas for fajitas, or with tortilla chips for dipping. It also pairs perfectly with a crisp salad or Mexican-style corn on the cob for a complete meal.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: ~520 kcal
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fat: 35g
Conclusion
The Queso Chicken Fajita Skillet is everything you crave in one sizzling pan — juicy chicken, colorful veggies, and a velvety cheese sauce bursting with Tex-Mex flair. Creamy, cheesy, and full of bold flavor, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that turns an ordinary night into a fiesta of flavor.