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Easy and Delicious Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are tasty for several reasons:

  • Flavorful marinade: Chicken fajitas are typically marinated in a mixture of spices, citrus juice, and oil, which infuses the chicken and vegetables with flavor and tenderizes the meat.
  • Charred and caramelized chicken and vegetables: Cooking the chicken and vegetables in a hot skillet or on a grill results in a charred and caramelized exterior, which adds depth of flavor and texture to the dish.
  • Variety of textures: Chicken fajitas typically include a variety of textures, such as tender chicken, crisp peppers and onions, and soft tortillas. This combination of textures adds interest and mouthfeel to the dish.
  • Customizable toppings: Chicken fajitas are often served with a variety of toppings such as shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream, which can be customized to suit individual tastes and preferences.

All of these elements come together to create a dish that is full of flavor, texture, and visual appeal, making chicken fajitas a popular and delicious meal option.

chicken fajitas

What do you need?

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 8 flour tortillas

Prepare the ingredients

  • Chicken: Trim any visible fat from the chicken breasts and slice them into thin, even strips. You can also use pre-cut chicken strips if available.
  • Peppers and onions: Cut the bell peppers and onions into thin, even strips. To do this, cut off the tops and bottoms of the peppers and slice them in half. Remove the seeds and membranes, and then slice the pepper halves into thin strips. Cut off the ends of the onion, cut it in half from top to bottom, remove the skin, and slice the halves into thin strips.
  • Marinade: Mix together your preferred fajita marinade ingredients. This typically includes a mixture of spices, citrus juice, and oil.
  • Tortillas: Warm up your tortillas in a microwave, oven, or on a griddle.
  • Toppings: Prepare any desired toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, or fresh cilantro.
chicken fajitas

Step 1:

In a large bowl, combine the chicken strips, sliced peppers, and sliced onion.

Step 2:

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the marinade over the chicken and vegetables, and toss to coat evenly.

Step 3:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and vegetables to the skillet, and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, and the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 4:

Squeeze the lime juice over the fajitas, and toss to combine.

Step 5:

Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave or on a griddle. Divide the chicken and vegetable mixture among the tortillas.

Step 6:

Add your desired toppings, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

chicken fajitas

Pro tips

  1. Use a hot skillet: To get a nice char on your chicken and vegetables, use a hot skillet. Preheat your skillet over medium-high heat before adding the chicken and vegetables.
  2. Slice the chicken and vegetables thinly and evenly: To ensure that everything cooks at the same rate, slice the chicken and vegetables into thin, even strips.
  3. Marinate the chicken and vegetables: Marinating the chicken and vegetables in a flavorful marinade will help infuse them with flavor and tenderize the meat. You can marinate the chicken and vegetables for as little as 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  4. Don’t overcook the chicken: Chicken breast can easily become dry and tough if overcooked. Cook the chicken just until it is no longer pink in the center, and then remove it from the skillet.
  5. Serve with warm tortillas: To keep the tortillas warm, wrap them in a clean towel or foil while you cook the fajitas.
  6. Add toppings to taste: Top your fajitas with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, or cilantro to enhance the flavor and texture.

Toppings to try

  • Shredded cheese: Add a sprinkle of your favorite shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, over the fajitas.
  • Guacamole: A dollop of guacamole adds creaminess and flavor to the fajitas.
  • Salsa: Fresh or canned salsa is a classic topping for fajitas. You can use mild or spicy salsa, depending on your preference.
  • Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a cool and creamy element to the fajitas.
  • Diced tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes add color and texture to the fajitas.
  • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves add a burst of herbaceous flavor to the fajitas.
  • Lime wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds acidity and brightens up the flavors in the fajitas.
  • Sliced jalapeños: If you like a little heat, add sliced jalapeños to the fajitas for a spicy kick.
chicken fajitas

How to store the yummy leftover chicken fajitas

  1. Let the fajitas cool down to room temperature. Do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria.
  2. Store the fajitas in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
  3. Place the container or bag in the refrigerator. The fajitas can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
  4. When reheating the fajitas, it is best to use a skillet or griddle over medium heat. This will help keep the tortillas from getting soggy. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the tortillas may become soft.

Note: If the fajitas contain toppings such as fresh tomatoes, cilantro, or avocado, it is best to remove them before storing the fajitas, as they may not store well and can make the fajitas soggy. You can add the toppings back on when reheating the fajitas.

Yield: 6

Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 8 flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken strips, sliced peppers, and sliced onion.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the marinade over the chicken and vegetables, and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and vegetables to the skillet, and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, and the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 7-8 minutes.
  4. Squeeze the lime juice over the fajitas, and toss to combine.
  5. Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave or on a griddle. Divide the chicken and vegetable mixture among the tortillas.
  6. Add your desired toppings, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to mix and match your favorite toppings to create your perfect chicken fajita combination!

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