Chicken Fajitas

Easy Chicken Fajitas are one of our all-time favorite meals. Tender juicy chicken, fresh peppers, and homemade seasoning on top warm tortilla create a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights. Whip up a fiesta in minutes and enjoy the taste of fajitas without leaving your home!

It’s hard to beat a sizzling plate of fajitas. When paired with fresh cilantro and soft, pillowy homemade tortillas, this Mexican mainstay is a perfect meal any night of the week.

By the way, the chicken gets marinated in the best juicy lime marinade, then seared for a crisp-charred outer edge!

What Are Fajitas?

Chicken fajitas are a Tex-Mex dish that consists of marinated grilled chicken, bell peppers, and onions served on warm tortillas. The word “fajita” refers to the cut of meat used in the dish, which is typically flank steak or skirt steak. These cuts of meat are marinated to tenderize them, then grilled over high heat until they are browned and crispy. The fajitas are then sliced thin and served on warm tortillas with a variety of toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese.

Did you know that fajitas is a Spanish term and it usually refers to grilled meat served in a taco or a flour corn tortilla? So you can literally make these fajitas with any meat you like.

Making homemade fajita seasoning is a lot easier than you might think, and you probably already have the ingredients in your spice cabinet. Simply combine a mixture of chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, and voila, you’re ready to make fajitas. Brighten up this dish with a mixture of red, orange, yellow, and green peppers. Top with your favorite garnishes

This recipe for chicken fajitas is particularly handy when you need something quick for dinner. Chicken fajitas come together in just three simple steps: marinate, cook, and eat!

Ingredients of Chicken Fajitas

• Chicken breast fillet sliced into bite-sized pieces; This is the main protein of the dish. Chicken breasts are lean and cook relatively quickly. Slicing them into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes them easier to eat in the fajitas. However, you can use thighs or even tenderloins, if you prefer. I would recommend pounding the chicken breasts out so they cook evenly and quickly! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are economical and easy to use for this recipe. You can even use frozen chicken strips in a pinch.
• Tricolor bell peppers sliced; Tricolor bell peppers refer to a mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers. They add sweetness, color, and a slight crunch to the fajitas. I liked the combination of green, yellow, and red bell peppers along with some onion because of how colorful the fajitas turn out, but you can use any peppers you like and really any vegetables!
• Onion sliced; add flavor and a bit of bite to the dish. Slicing them thinly allows them to cook evenly with the other vegetables
• Lime wedges; add a bright, acidic citrus flavor to the fajitas, This helps cut through the concentrated dry spices in the marinade
• Tortilla; These are the “wraps” that hold all the fajita ingredients together. You can use flour tortillas or corn tortillas, depending on your preference.
• Fresh Cilantro for garnish; Cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the dish. It’s usually chopped and sprinkled on top of the fajitas before serving
• Olive oil; to sautee chicken, marry the spices in the marinade together and adhere them to the chicken and veggies.

Marinade powder

A perfect and flavorful blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper creates the perfect homemade seasoning for fajitas. If you don’t have fajita seasoning, you can make your own using the following individual spices

• Chili Powder: Adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor.
• Ground cumin: Earthy and warm spice commonly used in Tex-Mex cuisine.
• Paprika Powder: Adds a touch of sweetness and smokiness. Different paprika varieties (smoked, sweet) can slightly change the flavor profile.
• Garlic and Onion powder:  add flavor
• Oregano: Adds a subtle herbal note.
• Brown sugar: A touch of sweetness helps balance the savory and spicy flavors.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances overall flavor.

Marinade Liquid

• Lime Juice; Adds acidity and brightness.
• Garlic crushed; Fresh garlic adds a stronger, more pungent garlic flavor compared to garlic powder
• White vinegar; Adds a touch of acidity and helps tenderize the chicken slightly
• Olive oil; Binds the marinade ingredients together and helps coat the chicken

How to Make Chicken Fajitas

Marinate the Chicken

First, in a small bowl, combine the crushed garlic, rice vinegar, lime juice, and olive oil. Whisk or stir well to create a marinade.

Second, in a separate bowl, mix all the fajita powder ingredients (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, brown sugar, salt, and pepper).

Then, add the chicken pieces to a large bowl and pour the spice mixture over the chicken. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the spices. Pour the marinade mixture over the chicken in the bowl. Ensure all the chicken pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to develop.

While the chicken marinates, gather your sliced bell peppers and onion. In a medium bowl, simply combine the sliced bell peppers and onions. Set this bowl aside for now.

Cook Chicken and Veggies

Now, heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken mixture to the pan. Saute the chicken, stirring frequently, until it’s cooked through (no longer pink in the center). This should take about 5-7 minutes per side.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Then, In the same pan you cooked the chicken in (no need to clean it!), add more olive oil if needed and heat it over medium-high heat again. Add the bell pepper and onion mixture to the pan and saute them.

Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables and stir to heat everything through for a minute or two. and remove the pan from heat.

Warm your tortillas according to package instructions. And try to place some of the chicken and vegetable mixture onto a warmed tortilla.

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the filling, to taste. and Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro. You can also add guacamole.

Finally, fold or roll up the tortilla and enjoy your delicious chicken fajitas!

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