• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • Copyright
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact / PRs / Review Policy / Link Policy
  • Recipe Index
  • Ingredients
  • As Seen
  • Credit Crunch Munch
  • Extra Veg
  • Work With Me
Fuss Free Flavours

Fuss Free Flavours

Easy recipes you will make again | Travel | Reviews

  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Quick & Easy
    • Recipes by Course
      • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
      • Main Meal
      • Side Dishes
      • Drinks
      • Starters & Light Bites
      • Desserts & Puddings
      • Baking
        • Biscuits and cookies
        • Bread Recipes
        • Cake
        • Cupcakes
        • Muffins
        • Pie
      • Soup
      • Salad
      • Dips, Dressings, & Sauces
      • Easy Jam, Jelly & Preserve Recipes
    • Recipes by Cuisine
      • American
      • Chinese
      • French
      • Italian
      • Other Cuisines
      • Vegetarian Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
  • Recipes by Main Ingredient
    • Beef
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Lamb
    • Game
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Beans & Lentils
    • Pasta
    • Grains & Rice
    • Fruit
    • Vegetables
    • Dairy
    • Booze
  • Travel
    • Rest of Europe
    • French
    • Rest of the world
    • Food Origins and Stories
You are here: Home / Recipes / Recipes by Main Ingredient / Poultry / Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas

Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas

Published on December 12, 2020 by Helen 13 Comments
Last Updated on February 9, 2021

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

My quick and easy leftover roast chicken fajita recipe can be on the table in 15 minutes and is absolutely delicious. Packed with flavour and vibrant colour, these chicken fajitas are so, so good! Serve them with whatever toppings you like best. No leftover chicken? I’ll tell you how to make some leftovers! 

A top down picture of the elements of leftover roast chicken fajita ready to serve. Chicken filling, tacos, and toppings.

Table of Contents

  • Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas
  • Why You Will Love Them
  • Roast Chicken Fajita Ingredients
  • Sizzling Fajitas Every Time
  • How to Make Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas
  • No leftover chicken? 
  • What to Serve with Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas  
  • Hints, Tips & Variations
  • More Leftover Roast Chicken Recipe Ideas
  • Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas

There is so much more taste and value in a large chicken, compared to a small one. I like to buy a chicken that will provide more than one meal, and this quick and easy recipe for  ready cooked chicken fajitas is a great way to use up the leftovers from a roast.  

Fajitas are the ultimate sharing food to enjoy with friends; delicious, and so so easy. Set the table with plenty bowls of toppings, such as fresh herbs and sliced chillis, so that everyone can assemble their fajitas EXACTLY as they want them.

Nothing beats that sizzling cast iron dish of fajitas as it is placed on the table. Read on for my handy hints for getting that perfect sizzle without burning the fajitas, and how to warm your tacos without them drying out.

These vibrant, flavour-packed leftover chicken fajitas will be a regular on the meal plan once you start making them.

Why You Will Love Them

  • This chicken fajita recipe is seriously easy and effortlessly impressive.
  • Fajitas are a great way to use up leftover roast chicken.
  • This recipe is largely make ahead – just five minutes’ hands on time.
  • They’re so adaptable.

Roast Chicken Fajita Ingredients

An annotated picture of the ingredients for chicken fajitas. Leftover roast chicken, onion, lime, spices, bell peppers and taco wraps.

  • Leftover roast chicken â€“ Cut your cooked chicken into strips if you can. When I strip the carcass, I pack slices and chunks into separate boxes.
  • Onion – Red or white – again, cut into strips.
  • Bell peppers – Your choice. I prefer the sweeter red, yellow or orange peppers, but green are also absolutely fine!
  • Spices – I like ground cumin and smoky chipotle, but you can vary them to taste, or use your favourite fajita spice blend. 
  • Lime – To maximise the juice, give it a good roll around on the work top with a bit of pressure BEFORE you cut it in half.
  • Tortilla wraps – I prefer soft wheat street tacos, 2–3 per person depending on appetite and the size of the taco. (They keep well in the freezer so I like to have some on hand.) Warm them on a heated pizza stone if possible, as this keeps them warm without drying them out. 

Sizzling Fajitas Every Time

Pro Tip
You need to serve the fajitas in a different pan to the one you cook in! Simple!

I cook my fajitas in a large, heavy non-stick frying pan, so I can easily stir the ingredients and lightly char them without burning them.

Then I transfer to a smaller, pre-heated, sizzling hot cast iron dish to serve. You can get these very cheaply from a catering supply store and if you look after them, they last for years.

The cast iron pan holds its heat for 15 minutes, keeping the fajitas warm.

Simply pop the empty serving dish on to the stove top on the highest heat when you cook the fajitas. Turn the heat off when you are ready to serve.

Pro Tip
Cast iron is HOT – use a double mat or trivet to protect your table. Wrap a tea towel or napkin round the handles of the dish so you can easily pick it up without burning yourself.

How to Make Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas

The ingredients for leftover roast chicken tacos, ready to cook. Onions have been sliced into half moons.

Before you start

Assemble all your toppings and sides before you start to cook the fajitas. If you are not sure what to serve with fajitas, there are some ideas below. 

Prepare all the ingredients cutting into narrow strips – try to make them all about the same size. If you warm your tortillas on a pizza stone, turn on the oven and put the stone in.

A glass bowl full of the ingredients for chicken fajitas, being prepared. Onion, chicken and sliced chicken is mixed with lime juice.

Step one – Put the cooked chicken, peppers, onions and spices into a bowl. Add half the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Then squeeze over the lime and give it all a good stir.

Pro Tip
If you want to prep ahead, prepare to this point, cover and put the mixture in the fridge up to a day in advance.

Four fajita wraps on a pizza stone.

At this point turn off the oven and put the tortillas onto the hot stone to warm through or defrost and warm. 

Cooking chicken fajita filling. Sliced bell peppers, onion, and slices of cooked chicken in a frying pan, before and after charring.

Step two – Heat your serving pan on a high heat on the stove top.

Add the rest of the oil to a large frying pan and fry the chicken mixture over a high heat, stirring all the time until lightly charred.

A top down picture of chicken, bell peppers, and onion cooked until slightly charred, served in a cast iron skillet.

Step three – Transfer to the preheated serving dish to serve.

Serve with warmed fajita wraps, and a selection of toppings.  

No leftover chicken? 

No leftover chicken? No problem! 

You can make some leftovers by simply slicing skinless chicken breasts or thighs into strips, fry for 5 minutes, then add the rest of the ingredients.  

What to Serve with Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas  

  • Guacamole or sliced/chopped avocado – quick and easy!
  • Grated cheese
  • Diced tomato and raw red onion relish
  • Sour cream – add a pinch of chilli powder for extra heat, or cool chopped herbs like coriander or parsley.
  • Serve with an extra wedge of lime. 

Hints, Tips & Variations

It’s easy to add extra veg to this chicken fajita recipe. Mix it up and it will be different every time. Try any of the following:

  • baby corn
  • mange tout / sugar snap peas
  • strips of courgette
  • strips of aubergine
  • sliced mushrooms
  • if you can find it, chayote is popular in Mexican dishes

If you find you have leftovers, why not make a cold chicken fajita wrap for tomorrow’s packed lunch? 

More Leftover Roast Chicken Recipe Ideas

If you are looking for more recipes to make the most of your leftover roast chicken, why not explore these suggestions? 

  • Easy chicken biryani
  • Leftover roast chicken frittata
  • Leftover chicken curry
  • Leftover chicken tacos
  • Leftover chicken tagine 
Tried this recipe?If you try this recipe please tag #FussFreeFlavours on Instagram or Twitter. It is amazing for me when for me when you make one of my recipes and I really do love to see them. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thanks for reading Fuss Free Flavours!
A close up of a hot cast iron skillet filled with sizzling chicken, onion and pepper fajita filling.
Print Recipe
BookmarkSaved!
5 from 9 votes

Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas

My quick and easy leftover roast chicken fajita recipe can be on the table in 15 minutes and is absolutely delicious. Packed with flavour and vibrant colour, these chicken fajitas are so, so good! Serve them with whatever toppings you like best. No leftover chicken? I'll tell you how to make some leftovers! 
Servings: 2
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time25 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 bell pepper (deseeded and cut into strips)
  • ? cup leftover roast chicken (100 g – cut into strips)
  • ½ onion (peeled and cut into strips)
  • ½ tsp smoked chipotle (or more to taste)
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ lime (juice)
  • pepper and salt
  • 2 dsp olive oil
  • 4–6 tortilla wraps

Instructions

  • Assemble all your toppings and sides before you start to cook the fajitas. Prepare all the ingredients by cutting into narrow strips – try to make them all about the same size. If you are going to warm your tortillas on a pizza stone, turn on the oven and put the stone in.  
  • Put the chicken, peppers, onions and spices into a bowl. Add half the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Squeeze over the lime and give it all a good stir.
  • Turn off the oven and put the tortillas onto the hot stone to warm through or defrost and warm. 
  • Heat your serving skillet or pan on the stovetop on a high heat, until it's sizzling hot.
  • Add the rest of the oil to a large frying pan and fry the chicken mixture over a high heat, stirring all the time until lightly charred.
  • Transfer the chicken mixture to the preheated serving dish to serve.
  • Serve the chicken filling, the warmed fajita wraps and your selection of toppings.

Notes

These quantities are perfect for a light meal for 2. For a more substantial meal, increase quantities by 50%
Topping suggestions: 
  • Grated cheese
  • Guacamole
  • Or just sliced or chopped avocado – quick and easy! 
  • Diced tomato and raw red onion relish. 
  • Sour cream – add a pinch of chilli powder for extra heat, or cool chopped herbs such as coriander or parsley.
  • Serve with an extra wedge of lime.
It's easy to add extra veg to this chicken fajita recipe. Mix it up and it will be different every time. Try any of the following:
  • baby corn
  • mange tout / sugar snap peas
  • strips of courgette
  • strips of aubergine
  • sliced mushrooms
  • if you can find it, chayote is popular in Mexican dishes
No leftover chicken? No problem! 
You can make some leftovers by simply slicing skinless chicken breasts or thighs into strips, fry for 5 minutes, then add the rest of the ingredients.  
Nutritional Information 
  • This recipe is 9 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion 
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 268 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 1035mg45%
Potassium 360mg10%
Carbohydrates 41g14%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 1863IU37%
Vitamin C 83mg101%
Calcium 81mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Light Meal
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken fajitas
Delicious Recipes Emailed To You!Get easy, tasty recipes for FREE when you subscribe! Click to Subscribe Now!!
Share by Text

Related Posts

  • Close up of a yet-to-be-rolled chicken taco, with a wedge of lime.
    Leftover Chicken Tacos
  • A close up of leftover roast chicken frittata, with a slice cut out and placed on top.
    How to Make Leftover Roast Chicken Frittata
  • Close up of leftover chicken curry
    Leftover Chicken Curry
  • A closeup of leftover roast turkey biryani. The vibrant yellow turkey and rice dish is in a shallow brown bowl, garnished with a slice of lemon, slivered almonds and coriander leaves. In the background is a white plate on which more curry has been served.
    Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Biryani

Filed Under: Main Meal, Mexican, Poultry, Quick & Easy, Recipes Ingredients: Leftover roast chicken, Mixed Peppers, Onion, Spices, Tacos

Previous Post: « Christmas Fudge Recipe
Next Post: A Guide to ’Nduja & Best ‘Nduja Recipes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Chloe Edges

    5 stars
    Looks fab, can’t go wrong with some good old fajitas!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Always a tasty meal.

      Reply
  2. Penny

    5 stars
    Always such a good meal to have, and love that you have used leftover chicken. Great idea and easy to make.

    Reply
    • Helen

      A great use of leftover chicken.

      Reply
  3. Rach Gillian

    5 stars
    This is a great family meal and always popular in our house. I do like to bulk it out a bit with more veggies. Love the flavours and smells delicious.

    Reply
    • Helen

      More veggies is always a good idea.

      Reply
  4. Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

    Thanks for sharing, this looks a lovely way up to use a up a roast chicken :)

    Reply
  5. Fee

    5 stars
    We have been eating these kinds of meals for a lot of January. They are always tasty, easy to make and totally fuss free.

    Reply
  6. Kelsey Wright

    5 stars
    Can’t go wrong with chicken fajitas. Easy to adapt and a great use of leftover chicken.

    Reply
  7. Natasha

    5 stars
    Fajitas are our go to meal for Friday nights. Perfect for a tasty relaxing meal with a good film. And always tasty.

    Reply
  8. Olivia

    5 stars
    Chicken fajitas are one of my favourite meals, and using the cooked leftovers is ideal to make it quick and easy.

    Reply
  9. Harriet

    5 stars
    Fantastic mid-week meal, easy to prep and throw together. And is easy to make for two or more.

    Reply
  10. Taylor Patterson

    5 stars
    Another good idea for using left over chicken. We often have a good portion left over from a Sunday roast, and this is a mouthwatering way to use it.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
Email Button, a white envelopw with orange box coming out of it Twitter Logo, bluw circle with a white bird Facebook logo, blue square with a white F inside You Tube Logo, a red box with the words You Tube on the inside Pinterest Logo, a red circle with white P on the inside Instagram Logo, a rainbow box with a square and circle inside of it Flipboard Logo - Red square with a white F on the inside

Press/As Seen On

Image-1

Subscribe

Footer

Latest Posts

Easy Braised Celery Recipe

Easy Braised Celery Recipe

Leftover Chicken Tagine

Leftover Chicken Tagine

Easy Blueberry Jam (Three Ingredients, No Pectin)

Easy Blueberry Jam (Three Ingredients, No Pectin)

Easy Roasted Baby Potatoes

Easy Roasted Baby Potatoes

Easy No Mayo Coleslaw

Easy No Mayo Coleslaw

Easy Cheesy Chips

Easy Cheesy Chips

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 Helen Best-Shaw / Fuss Free Flavours - Easy Recipes You Will Make Again