This easy chicken fajitas recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make and it’s super delish.
Hey Foodies,
Today we are going to make some easy and flavorful chicken fajitas.
This is a dish that originates in Texan-Mexican cuisine and it is made of grilled meat served with veggies in a flour or corn tortilla. Although this sounds a bit similar to quesadillas, make no mistake, these two are totally different.
In case you are wondering what meat to use for fajitas then you should know that originally, it was made with beef strips.
However, the recipe changed in many ways since its early years and now you can make it with a wide range of meats or fish. Here are the most popular:
- chicken
- pork
- lamb
- salmon
- shrimp
And if you are a vegetarian, fill the fajitas with veggies instead of meat.
You might have noticed that I said grilled meat, but again, this is how they used to make it in early days.
Now, you can also cook the meat in a pan or in the oven. And if you want to make them quickly, then I suggest you go for the pan. This is the fastest way to make tasty chicken fajitas.
As you probably know by now I like going in-depth with tips and tricks when it comes to cooking (just a nice way of saying I’m a big chatter 🙂 ).
So before firing up the ovens (pans in this case) let me show you my secret tips and tricks for making chicken fajitas.
How to make Chicken Fajitas easy. Best tips and tricks
1. Use chicken thighs if you want to make it in less than 20 minutes.
I made them with thighs, and not breast (as is more common) because these are naturally more tender.
And you don’t need to waste any more time to marinate them (as you would with breast). This is another reason why you can make this easy chicken fajitas recipe faster than others.
But if you prefer chicken breast and have more time for cooking, then here is a trick to make it more tender and juicier:
- Slice and mix it with fajita seasoning, 2 Tbsp of olive oil, juice and zest from one lime, then let it marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes (see the ingredients for fajita seasoning in the recipe below).
This will add tons of flavor to your chicken fajitas and it will make the breast tender and juicy.
2. What to serve with fajitas
Chicken fajitas are usually made and served with plenty of veggies. For most foodies that would be enough.
However, you can still add a few toppings to make it even more delish. And here are some of my favorites:
- Cheese. This is the most popular fajita topping. Melted grated cheese makes these tasty chicken fajitas more flavorful.
- Pico-de-gallo. This is a spicy and tasty salsa made from tomatoes, onions, cilantro, serranos, salt and lime juice. The ingredients in it are finely chopped.
- Guacamole. Well, we all know what guacamole is, don’t we? A smooth buttery dip made from avocados and yummy spices.
- Slaw. This is a crunchy chopped salad that can be made in many ways (creamy, smokey, sweet, or peppery). It will add a nice texture to the flavorful chicken fajitas.
3. If you can, make chicken fajitas on a grill and add mesquite wood chips on the charcoal.
If you want to make flavorful chicken fajitas, then why not make it with its traditional smoke flavor, which is mesquite.
It’s worth noting here that this is a tree which grows in southwestern US and Mexico so it may not be easily accessible for everybody.
But none-the-less, it’s one of the best ways to cook fajitas and it’s definitely worth a try.
4. Make a large batch of fajita seasoning and store it up to one year.
You can make fajita seasoning in large batches and store it in your pantry, for up to one year.
Yup, you heard that right. You can store it for one year.
Keep in mind that you can also use this seasoning on other dishes like roast chicken, steak, or Ratatouille.
So you don’t need to eat chicken fajitas for a year just to get rid of the seasoning 🙂
5. How to cut the chicken for fajitas
If you make it in a cast iron skillet or grill, it’s best to cut into strips before cooking. This way, it will take less time to make.
If you make it on a BBQ grill, then you should cook the whole piece of meat and then cut it into strips.
6. How to season the chicken for fajitas
Here are the ingredients that you need to make fajita seasoning from scratch:
- 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 Tbsp sea salt
- 1/4 Tbsp fresh ground pepper
You just need to mix these ingredients together in a jar, shake well to combine and store it in your pantry for up to one year.
And whenever needed, sprinkle some on the chicken, then cook it in a pan stirring constantly.
Simple, right?
Now you know all my secret tips and tricks for making chicken fajitas. So it’s time to pull out your knives and pans and get down to business (ok, cooking).
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Easy Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1½ lb (700g) chicken thighs - skinless, boneless, sliced
- 3 bell peppers red, yellow, green
- 1 large red onion - sliced
- 10 flour or corn tortillas
- 1 lime - cut into wedges
- a small handful of fresh cilantro - chopped
- 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream
- 1 avocado sliced - (optional)
- 1 jalapeno - thinly sliced
Chicken Fajitas Seasoning Recipe
- 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 Tbsp sea salt
- 1/4 Tbsp fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large cast iron pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken and 1 Tbsp of fajita seasoning, then cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring every minute or so.
- Once the chicken is cooked through and golden brown, bring it to the side of the pan to make space for the veggies.
- Add peppers, onion, juice of 1 lime and sprinkle with 1 tsp of seasoning. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, then toss well to combine.
- Spoon the chicken, onions, and peppers into warm tortillas. Squeeze lime juice and garnish with sliced jalapeno, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
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