Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

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Recreate your favorite Mexican restaurant meal right at home! Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a hearty and satisfying meal that everyone will love, especially when there are plenty of toppings to choose from! This recipe easily feeds six people, so it’s a great family-style dinner idea.

tongs in a slow cooker with chicken fajitas.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

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Dinner is going to be a sizzling delight! Well, not exactly sizzling this time around, but you get the idea 🙂

When you make chicken fajitas in your slow cooker, you can skip the hot skillet and just let the crock pot do all the work.

That’s the reason my slow cooker recipes are some of my favorite ones. There are so many ways to use it – you can even cook a whole chicken in your slow cooker!

Not to say I’m not a big fan of baked chicken fajitas or grilled chicken fajitas just as much, but there’s something about walking away and having dinner ready when you get back.

This recipe is a fun twist to your Taco Tuesday! Fresh, crispy peppers, tender chicken, and any other veggies that you want to add. Then, all you have to do is warm up the tortillas, set out some toppings, and dinner is ready!

This is the perfect way to recreate your favorite Mexican recipes at home. Pair it with some taco dip and dinner is served.

Why you’ll love Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Budget-friendly – All of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store. You can often find store-brand options that will save you money. No matter what, you’re still saving your wallet by making a homemade, yet restaurant-style dinner!

Versatile – Make the chicken fajitas as spicy or as mild as you want. The ingredients are easy to change based on how you like yours or what toppings like you to add.

Easy – You literally add everything to the slow cooker, stir it, and let it cook! Then, just start layering and creating your fajitas – that’s it.

overhead shot of chicken fajita on a tortilla.

Equipment you’ll need

Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.

Chicken Breasts – Use boneless skinless chicken breasts and trim any excess fat. They’re easy to slice or shred and won’t take as long to cook as bone-in breasts.
Rotel – This is a brand of tomatoes that comes in a variety of spice levels. Look for a can of fire-roasted tomatoes and green chilis that will add the perfect amount of spice.
Taco Seasoning – Use your favorite brand or make homemade taco seasoning with a few simple spices.
Bell Peppers – Fajita veggies always need a variety of bell peppers! Slice them into thin strips.
Onion – A sliced, white onion adds zest to the fajitas. In traditional fajitas, the veggie combination of onions and bell peppers is so good!
Tortillas – Use fajita-size flour tortillas. These are softer and thinner than corn tortillas, and smaller than burrito-sized tortillas.

overhead shot of labeled ingredients laid out to make chicken fajitas.

How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Step One: To the basin of a 6 quart slow cooker, add the Rotel, half of the sliced peppers, and half of the onions.

overhead shot of sliced bell peppers and onions in a black crockpot.

Step Two: Lay the chicken on top of the peppers and onions. Sprinkle half of the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken. Top the chicken with the remaining peppers and onions and sprinkle the remaining seasoning over the top.

hand sprinkling taco seasoning onto peppers, onions, and chicken in a slow cooker.

overhead shot of seasoned chicken in a slow cooker.

Step Three: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Once it’s done, slice the chicken into strips.
Step Four: Drain most of the liquid from the slow cooker then put the sliced chicken back in the crockpot to toss together with the peppers and onions. Assemble the fajitas with your favorite toppings and a squirt of fresh lime juice!

sliced chicken on a cutting board held over a slow cooker.

Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.

What to serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

This is a bold chicken recipe that rivals anything you can get at a Mexican restaurant. Serve it with a side of cilantro lime rice for the perfect dinner.

Start your meal with some chips and fresh salsa just like you would for Taco Tuesday.

Don’t forget to add some homemade guacamole to the table with refried beans or a black bean salad. Now you’re ready to eat!

I also like to have a variety of favorite toppings so that everyone can load up their own! Things like:

Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Red onion
Guacamole or Avocado Slices
Pico De Gallo
Lime Wedges
Cilantro
Salsa

closeup of a chicken fajita on a white plate.

Tips & Suggestions

Instead of Rotel, you can use your favorite salsa, or a 10 oz can of diced tomatoes and a 4 oz can of green chiles.
If you prefer shredded chicken, you can shred the chicken instead of slicing it into strips. Do this with two forks or a hand mixer (seriously it works!).
Homemade taco seasoning or a packet can be used. Salt and pepper may need to be added depending on your pick.
Heat the tortillas before adding the toppings. Stack them on a plate and warm them in the microwave.
Add some sliced jalapenos to make the fajita filling spicier.

How to reheat and store Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

How to store leftovers

Store the leftover chicken fajitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long will chicken fajita filling last in the fridge?

This easy chicken recipe will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about four days. If you run out of tortilla shells you can always enjoy the filling with rice, salad, or all on its own!

Can I freeze fajita filling?

Yes, you can freeze chicken fajitas! Store them in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container for up to six months.

How to reheat easy crockpot chicken fajitas

It’s best to reheat the chicken fajitas in a large skillet over low heat. If you have just a bit of the chicken left over, you can use the microwave too.

wooden spoon in a slow cooker of chicken fajitas.

FAQs

Why is my slow cooker chicken tough?

Your chicken could be tough if you overcook it. Most slow cookers run pretty hot these days so I generally recommend cooking on LOW and sticking to the set cook times. Once it hits 165° internally, it is done.

Another reason it can be tough is if you’re using a crockpot that is too big. I almost always use a 6 quart but I include the recommended size in the recipe.

Does slow cooking chicken make it more tender?

Yes, it does. When you cook chicken for a long time over low heat, it becomes very tender.

Can you overcook chicken in a crockpot?

You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker, which will leave it dry and tough. I recommend getting to know your specific slow cooker so you can better gauge cook times. Check for doneness early so it doesn’t overcook.

How do you make chicken fajitas spicier?

The easiest way to make chicken fajitas spicier is to add jalapeno or poblano peppers to the slow cooker. If it’s still not spicy enough, add some hot sauce at the end when you’re assembling them.

Need more easy chicken recipes? Try these:

Southwest Chicken Skillet

One Pan Chicken and Asparagus

Chicken Fajita Casserole

Chicken Spinach and Orzo Skillet

Click here for my entire collection of chicken recipes.