Chipotle Pineapple Chicken Fajita Bowl

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

Updated

This Tex-Mex dish is a twist on the classic chicken fajita bowl. It's spicy, citrusy, sweet, and packed with nutritious vegetables.
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These chipotle pineapple chicken fajita bowls are the perfect mix of smoky, sweet, and spicy! 

It all starts with the marinade.

These chipotle pineapple chicken fajita bowls are the perfect mix

The smoky chipotle chillis are blended with spicy adobo sauce, spices, garlic, and lime to create a marinade that has sparkling dimension and great flavor balance.

These flavors infuse into the chicken and make it unforgettable.

These flavors infuse into the chicken and make it unforgettable

This chicken is served in a bowl with juicy charred pineapple chunks, herby cilantro-lime rice, and creamy avocado.

The combination of a riot of flavors with the textures of the fresh vegetables makes every bite unforgettable.

The combination of a riot of flavors with the textures of the fresh vegetables

Why you will love this Chicken Fajita Bowl recipe…

  • Great texture- The chicken is tender and pairs perfectly with the crunchy peppers, creamy avocado, and juicy pineapple.
  • Flavor variety- It’s got everything! Smokiness, spice, and sweetness.
  • Nutritious- This dish is packed with fresh veggies, citrus, fruit, and protein.
  • Looks stunning- When arranged in the bowl, these colorful ingredients look beautiful and make you want to dig in right away!
  • Twist on a Tex-Mex classic- This takes the expected chicken fajita and turns it into a trendy bowl.
Why you will love this Chicken Fajita Bowl recipe

Chipotle Pineapple Chicken Fajita Bowl

This Tex-Mex dish is a twist on the classic fajita. It's spicy, citrusy, sweet, and packed with nutritious vegetables.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinade 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4
Calories 594 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (separate 2 tsp adobo sauce)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lime juice
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Pineapple:

  • 1 ½ cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

For the Cilantro-Lime Rice:

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (or jasmine rice)
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

Toppings:

  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced and sautéed
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced and sautéed
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Lime wedges
  • Flour tortillas

Instructions
 

Ingredients

Step 1-  Marinate the Chicken

  • In a blender or food processor, blend chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt until smooth.
  • Place the chicken in a large bowl or zip-top bag, pour the marinade over, and coat well. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or up to 6 hours)

Step 2- Cook the Rice

  • Rinse the rice under cold water. In a pot, combine rice and water (or chicken broth) and bring to a boil.
  • Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until fully cooked.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, and a pinch of salt.

Step 3-  Char the Pineapple

  • Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Toss pineapple chunks with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
  • Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until caramelized and lightly charred. Set aside.

Step 4- Cook the Chicken

  • Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and nicely seared. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 5- Sauté the Vegetables

  • In the same pan, sauté the bell peppers and onions with a pinch of salt until softened and slightly charred, about 5 minutes.

Step 6- Assemble the Bowls

  • Divide the cilantro-lime rice among 4 bowls.
  • Top with sliced chicken, charred pineapple, sautéed peppers and onions, and avocado slices.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra zing.
  • Serve with flour tortillas.

Nutrition

Calories 594kcal (30%)Carbohydrates 63g (21%)Protein 28g (56%)Fat 27g (42%)Saturated Fat 4g (25%)Polyunsaturated Fat 4gMonounsaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 0.02gCholesterol 108mg (36%)Sodium 403mg (18%)Potassium 829mg (24%)Fiber 7g (29%)Sugar 16g (18%)Vitamin A 1159IU (23%)Vitamin C 59mg (72%)Calcium 64mg (6%)Iron 3mg (17%)
Keyword Chicken Fajita Bowl
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these chicken fajita bowls with your favorite flour tortillas or mix it up with corn tortillas or even corn chips.

We also suggest sipping a Pomegranate & Rosewater Champagne Cocktail or your favorite tropical cocktail or mocktail alongside this dish for the perfect balance of flavors.gside this dish.

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Adjust the Heat. If you want the dish less spicy, add less chipotle and adobo. If you want more spice, add a few more teaspoons of adobo sauce to the marinade.
  • Grill the Chicken. If you have the option, grilling the chicken on a real grill will add a wonderful smoky flavor to meld with the chipotle.
  • Spice the pineapple. To add more flavor and smokiness, sprinkle some smoked paprika over the pineapple before frying it.
  • Marinade overnight. If possible, allow the chicken to marinade overnight for maximum flavor.
Serve these chicken fajita bowls with your favorite flour tortillas

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- If possible, store this dish with the ingredients separated in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. If you have leftovers that are already mixed, simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat- Separate the chicken and place it onto a baking dish. Heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Then reunite it with the other room-temperature ingredients.
  • To freeze- The chicken for this dish freezes very well so we suggest freezing extra to combine with the fresh ingredients at a later stage. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag and label it with the date. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Chicken Fajita Bowl FAQs

What is fajita sauce made of?

There is no traditional sauce for fajitas as it’s often served with sour cream and salsa. However, if you want a sauce that is inspired by the marinade you can make one with adobo sauce, lime juice, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and salt.

What’s the difference between a fajita bowl and a burrito bowl?

These dishes are very similar because they are derived from dishes usually wrapped in tortillas. Fajita bowls will feature grilled meat with onions and peppers while burrito bowls often feature beans.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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