Enjoy Chicken Fajitas, a Mexican classic with spicy, tender chicken, bell peppers, and onions, seasoned to perfection. Ideal for lunch or dinner, they pair wonderfully with guacamole, pico de gallo, or Mexican rice, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal.
1½tspChili Powderuse the heat variety based on your preference
¾tspCumin Powder
¾tspOnion Powder
¾tspGarlic Powder
1tbspBrown Sugar
½tspBlack Pepper Powder
Salt to taste
½tspDried Oregano
1tbspLemon Juice
3tbspOlive Oil
For Chicken Fajitas
4pieceChicken Breastboneless, thinly sliced
2Red Onionmedium size, sliced
1Red Bell Peppersliced
1Yellow Bell Peppersliced
1Green Bell Peppersliced
2tbspOilfor pan-frying chicken and sauteing veggies
¼tspBlack Pepper Powder
Saltto taste
Coriander Leavesa handful, chopped
For Serving
Tortilla
Sour Cream
Lime Wedges
Avocado Slices
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken Breast
Start by preparing the fajita seasoning. In a mixing bowl, combine chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, brown sugar, and dried oregano. Stir these spices together until well mixed. Then, pour in the lemon juice and oil, blending them into the seasoning to create your marinade.
Now, take your thinly sliced chicken breast and place it in the marinade. Toss the chicken until it's fully coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and let the chicken rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse, but an overnight soak will intensify the flavors remarkably.
Pan-frying the Chicken
Begin by heating a pan over medium heat. Add a suitable amount of oil to comfortably pan-fry the chicken breast. Place the marinated chicken breast in the pan and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side.
After the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove it from the pan. Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it into strips. Set these aside for assembling your fajitas.
Making Chicken Fajitas
In the same pan used for the chicken, with the remaining oil, add the sliced red onion along with green, yellow, and red bell peppers. Sauté these vegetables until they achieve a perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness.
Season the vegetables with a pinch of salt and black pepper, giving them a gentle stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Finally, reintroduce the sliced chicken breast to the pan, along with some freshly chopped coriander leaves. Toss everything together to combine. Your flavor-packed Chicken Fajitas are now ready to be enjoyed, bursting with vibrant colors and aroma.
Serving
Serve your freshly made Chicken Fajitas with warm tortillas and a selection of your favorite toppings for a complete meal. For more creative pairing ideas, refer to the serving suggestions section to elevate your fajita experience.
Notes
Here are some key tips to make perfect Chicken Fajitas:
Keep Chicken Moist: To prevent the chicken from drying out, consider brining it before marinating, especially if using chicken breasts. A simple brine of salt and water can help the chicken retain moisture during cooking.
Precision in Slicing: Thinly slice the chicken for uniform cooking. For whole breasts, pounding them to an even thickness before slicing ensures each piece cooks evenly.
Achieve the Perfect Sear: Utilize a well-heated skillet or grill. The key is to preheat your cooking surface to a high temperature, ensuring a beautifully browned and caramelized exterior.
Ensure Safe Cooking Temperatures: Pan fry your chicken until it hits the safe internal temperature of 165 ℉ (74 ℃) recommended by FDA. Employ a reliable meat thermometer for precise temperature readings.
Evenly Sized Vegetable Slices: Cut your bell peppers and onions into uniform slices. This ensures they cook at the same rate, providing a consistent texture throughout the dish.
Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: When cooking the chicken and vegetables, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if necessary. This allows each piece to sear properly rather than steam, retaining a desirable texture.
Resting Time for Chicken: After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This pause lets the juices settle back into the meat, ensuring each bite is succulent and rich in flavor.
Grill for Flavor: Consider grilling the chicken for your fajitas to impart a delightful smoky flavor. Grilled chicken fajitas are adored for their charred and slightly caramelized taste, adding an extra layer of deliciousness to your dish.
Experiment with Seasonings: Don't hesitate to adjust the fajita seasoning to your taste. Adding a bit of smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne pepper can introduce new layers of flavor.