Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas

These Sheet Pan Fajitas just might be the easiest way to enjoy Taco Tuesday you’ve ever seen. It’s also a great way to meal prep for the week!

Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas

I truthfully cannot recall when the last time was that I went to Chili’s.

The reason I say Chili’s, is because fajitas will, unfortunately, always remind me of Chili’s. The reason I say ‘unfortunately’ is because I’m not a fan of Chili’s. Which sounds incredibly pretentious, but I’m not really sure how else to say it. I’m not a fan of Chili’s, or Olive Garden, or Carrabba’s, or Macaroni Grill… you know, the typical American franchise restaurant.

And, why yes, I do love me some Starbucks. Good God am I a hypocrite. Ah well. *shrug*

I’m sorry if you like any of these – just my opinion, peeps!

Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas

 

In my eyes, franchise restaurants have a bad wrap. It’s just how I grew up – the only time we went to these types of places were occasions such as after football games every Friday when us cheerleaders/families would meet up with the football players/families at Beef O’ Brady’s. And we rarely went to “nice restaurants”; these were only visited for very special occasions. Thus, this isn’t a “pretentious” choice, but more a choice of taste and preference. We’ve always just cooked at home, or tried new local restaurants, or gone to old favorites.

To me, a restaurant loses its charm once it goes national. Most of them, I should say. There are a handful that I do enjoy, like First Watch or Panera Bread (and yeah, Starbucks).

However, I often think about these franchise restaurants, and how they all began as a local place, a “mom and pop”, just like the charming restaurants I frequent above them. What got them to where they are now? Knowing that many feel like I do about these types of restaurants, when does a restaurant owner say “yes, let’s expand”, knowing that they just might lose that “local” feeling or familial charm?

Sheet Pan Fajitas

I’ll be the first to say that if I put my blood, sweat, and tears into building a restaurant from the ground up, and I was given the chance to expand into a franchise business, I would probably take that chance. I mean, we’re talking big bucks here. And the restaurant business is one of the toughest out there. We can all sit back and raise our noses at Olive Garden, but would you have done the same thing?

Alright friends, I’ll get to the point. The moral of my story is that we are all often so quick to judge other’s life decisions. We’ve all been trained to think a certain way, and most of us immediately fall into that thought trap upon being informed of other’s decisions that don’t align with our morals or lifestyle. However – put yourself in their shoes.

I’ve been presented with a few instances of this recently – hearing stories from loved ones of their reactions toward certain peoples life choices. I’ve even directly received negative judgements from others voicing their discontented opinions about how I run my business.  Everybody has their own opinion, as do I. I’m no angel. However, being on the other side so much recently has changed my way of thinking. Now, more than ever, I genuinely try to put myself into someone’s shoes before I am quick to judge them.

Are you comparing yourself to someone who has become more successful than you in your same industry? Slow your roll before you become jealous, envious, or spiteful. You never know what that person has sacrificed to get them to where they are, or maybe what luck they’ve been dealt that was out of their hands.

You just. never. fully. know. And that’s the damn truth.

Sheet Pan Fajitas

So yeah, speaking of fajitas.

Sheet Pan Fajitas

If your initial judgement of these fajitas is that they’re super easy and perfect for a lazy chef, BINGO BANGO you’re right.

Goodness, I love a good throw-it-on-a-pan-and-call-it-dinner meal. Especially when it tastes this good.

Part of the reason I started exploring food blogs and cookbooks in college was that I was trying to be healthier and cook on my own more (as opposed to consistently relying on Chipotle and Tijuana Flats), but I didn’t want to fall into the trap of boring “healthy” meals. You know, the boiled chicken, steamed broccoli, brown rice. BLEGH – enjoy your food people!!

Thus, I’ve found new ways to eat simply prepared foods that taste bomb dot com.

Sheet Pan Fajitas

These sheet pan fajitas, for example.

Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas

Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: Serves 4
Ingredients
  • [b]Chicken Seasoning:[/b]
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • [b]Fajitas:[/b]
  • 4 chicken breasts, cut into strips
  • 2 bell peppers, julienned
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • [b]Optional:[/b]
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Juice 1 lime
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Place your chicken strips into a large bowl.
  3. Combine seasonings into a small bowl and stir together with a fork. Pour over chicken strips.
  4. Use your hands to combine chicken and seasoning until well-mixed.
  5. Place peppers and onion atop baking sheet. Spread evenly with your hands.
  6. Place chicken over peppers/onion.
  7. Drizzle chicken, peppers, and onion mixture with olive oil.
  8. Use your hands to mix everything and spread evenly across baking sheet.
  9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.
  10. Serve with fresh cilantro and squeeze lime juice on top.
Notes
Depending on your oven strength, I recommend pausing timer after 15 minutes and cutting a piece of chicken to check doneness.

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Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas

 

Join the conversation:
Have you ever caught yourself judging someone too quickly?
What is your favorite franchise restaurant?

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Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas

 

Comments

  1. says

    I’m the same way! I try hard not to go to franchise restaurants…I love small mom and pop type places…they usually provide more of an ‘experience’ and they are usually happy to meet any special requests. Though I do totally hear ya on the franchise opportunity, I don’t blame them but still I like to support small. As for this recipe…well you had me at easy and fajita…making this soon!

    • says

      Yes I totally agree!! One time in Sicily we had to go to McDonald’s because we failed to plan that day and everything was closed and we were STARVING. Needless to say, I was kicking myself lol but funny enough, their Mickey D’s was actually delicious lol of course in Italy

  2. says

    There are no franchise restaurants on Nantucket, but I would have to say my favorite one is Chipotle! I haven’t had it in so long and gosh darn it now you have me craving it….DOH!

    • says

      I loveee Chipotle. That was my major go-to in college. I thought it was amazing that there were no franchise places on Nantucket. Although I was surprised to hear that there was no lulu lol!

  3. says

    Love this easy dinner. I’m allllll about easy – I don’t have a dishwasher, soooo yeah. But amen to the franchise thoughts! I always inwardly groan when I have to go to one, but I totally understand from a business standpoint!

  4. says

    I totally agree Christina that it’s really hard to keep the charm of a restaurant when you make it into chains. On one hand, I love to see how these chains have multiplied and grown, and on the other hand, I do really like the local feel of local restaurants. So there are pros and cons to both! I love to watch how different people run businesses, including you and your blog and other bloggers, because we were all created so different.

  5. says

    Love! These are so marvelously easy to make. I expected to get to the bottom of the post and find an ingredients list a mile long, but it isn’t–and they look soooo good!

    Oooh, my favorite franchise restaurant… well, I love Caribou Coffee (which is as popular as Starbucks here in MN)! And while I’m not a big fan of the food, I really can’t hate on Chili’s too much as I used to work as a hostess there, haha.

  6. says

    I really enjoyed this post. Years and years ago I only at chain restaurants. I think it’s because it’s just what I knew. Now, I go out of my way to find local restaurants wherever I am. I enjoy them so much more. I am cooking these easy sheet pan fajitas tonight. Thank you for the idea. I was just pondering what I should make for dinner tonight. Have a great day!

  7. says

    Yup I’m definitely guilty of judging people too soon. But a lot of the time my initial assessment of people is actually correct. We don’t have that many crazy big American franchises here at the bottom of the world. Starbucks did make it down here though and it is just as big.
    Although they really tone it down here. We get none of the exciting flavours you do!

  8. says

    I’m with ya on the American franchises except for Starbucks 😛 I feel like those places have mediocre food for a “cheap” price, which is maybe why they attract so many people? I love finding and supporting small businesses, and the food is usually better!!
    In other news: I need this recipe in my life.

  9. says

    One pan!! I love this recipe girl! So fresh and delicious! And I totally hear ya. We really never know what someone has gone through to get where they’re at. Like you said with restaurants… they may have started small and worked really hard to become what they are today. Great points Christina. I totally agree, we never know the full story and we shouldn’t be quick to judge. Wise words girl!
    Hope that you have a great rest of your week!
    xoxo Cailee!

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