Delicious and Easy Chicken Fajitas: A Step-by-Step Guide

This recipe will guide you through making flavorful chicken fajitas at home. Get ready for sizzling strips of chicken and peppers, perfect for loading into warm tortillas!

Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken Marinade:
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into thin strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
• For the Fajitas:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 bell peppers (any color), cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
  • Flour or corn tortillas, warmed
• Optional Toppings:
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole or sliced avocado
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, etc.)
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Marinade

• Slice the chicken breasts or thighs into thin strips, about 1/2 inch thick.

In a medium bowl or a zip-top bag, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.

• Add the sliced chicken to the marinade. Toss to ensure the chicken is fully coated.
• Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours for more intense flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

• Thinly slice the onion.

Core, seed, and thinly slice the bell peppers.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the hot pan.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan and set aside on a plate.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

• Using the same skillet (no need to add more oil unless the pan looks very dry), increase the heat to medium-high.
• Add the marinated chicken strips to the hot pan in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.

Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through, opaque, and slightly browned.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Vegetables

• Return the cooked onions and bell peppers to the skillet with the cooked chicken.

Toss everything together and heat through for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Assemble and Serve

• Transfer the sizzling chicken and vegetable mixture to a serving platter.
• Serve immediately with the warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.

Enjoy your delicious homemade chicken fajitas!