These delicious chicken fajitas are incredibly easy to make. With tender and juicy strips of chicken, sautéed peppers and onions, and a burst of flavor from the spices, these fajitas are sure to become a family favorite.
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Key Takeaways:
- Quick and Easy: These chicken fajitas are simple to prepare, making them perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Flavor-Packed Marinade: Marinate chicken strips instead of whole breasts for extra tenderness and bold flavor.
- Brain-Boosting Ingredients: Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, B6, folate, and vitamin E, which support brain health and cognitive function.
- Customizable Toppings: Get creative with toppings like avocado, sour cream, salsa, or cheese to suit your taste.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Swap flour tortillas for corn tortillas for a gluten-free alternative.
- Versatile Cooking: Use a grill pan or skillet to prepare the fajitas, adapting the recipe to your kitchen setup.
Overview
These chicken fajitas are a flavorful and nourishing meal that’s as easy to prepare as it is satisfying to eat. Juicy strips of marinated chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet onions come together in a sizzling skillet to create a dish that’s bursting with color and taste. What makes this recipe a standout is its focus on both convenience and nutrition. With a spice-packed marinade that tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with bold flavor, and a mix of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers loaded with brain-boosting nutrients like vitamin C, B6, folate, and vitamin E, these fajitas are as good for your body as they are for your palate. Whether you’re whipping them up for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, the toppings are fully customizable—think creamy avocado, tangy salsa, and your favorite cheese. Plus, with the option to use gluten-free corn tortillas, this dish is adaptable to a variety of dietary needs. Simple, wholesome, and crowd-pleasing, these chicken fajitas are destined to become a family favorite.
SIS Tip - Simple is Smart
If you want extra tender chicken strips bursting with flavor, cut the chicken breasts into strips and marinate the strips instead of marinating and cooking the chicken breast whole, and then cutting it into strips after it is marinated and cooked.
Neuro-Nutrition Nugget
Did you know that red, yellow, and orange sweet peppers are not only delicious, but they also provide brain nutrition? Yes, you heard it right! These vibrant and colorful peppers are packed with essential nutrients that can support your brain health and function. Whether you prefer the fiery red peppers or the mellow yellow ones, incorporating them into your diet can have amazing benefits for your brain.
One of the key nutrients found in red, yellow, and orange sweet peppers is vitamin C. These peppers are a excellent source of this powerful antioxidant, which plays a crucial role in protecting our brain cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also helps in the production of neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals responsible for transmitting signals in our brain. By including sweet peppers in your meals, you can ensure that your brain is well-nourished and functioning optimally.
Another essential nutrient present in these colorful peppers is vitamin B6. This vitamin is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which are responsible for regulating our mood, sleep patterns, and even cognitive function. By consuming red, yellow, and orange sweet peppers regularly, you can support the production of these vital neurotransmitters and maintain a healthy brain.
In addition to vitamins C and B6, sweet peppers also contain other brain-friendly nutrients like folate and vitamin E. Folate is important for maintaining good mental health and cognitive function, while vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects our brain cells from oxidative stress. Including a variety of red, yellow, and orange sweet peppers in your diet can provide a range of these beneficial nutrients to nourish your brain.
Ingredients for Chicken Fajitas
Marinade:
- Lime Juice: Use fresh squeezed lime juice
- Chili Powder: for extra spice, be generous with the chili powder
- Vegetable oil: may use olive oil.
- Onion Powder: use powder not dried onion
- Cumin: Cumin is in the parsley family and it’s seeds are used in Mexican, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes.
- Red Pepper Flakes: used for extra heat and spiciness.
Chicken Fajitas
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Use breasts that are 6-8 ounces
- Cumin:
- Bell Peppers, 1 red, 1 Orange, 1 yellow: fresh medium size peppers.
- Sweet onion may use a regular onion if you don’t have a sweet onion
- Warmed Flour Tortilla or corn tortillas for gluten free.
Toppings
Get creative and add your favorite toppings.
- Avocado
- Sour cream
- Salsa
Step by Step Instructions for Chicken Fajitas
Make the Marinade:
- Combine all the the ingredients for the marinade in a medium bowl and whisk together.
- Slice the chicken breasts into strips.
- Marinate the chicken breast strips in the marinade for 2 hours.
Make the Fajitas
- Slice the peppers and onion and set aside.
- Oil a large skillet or on a grill pan over medium heat.
- Add the chicken strips and cook until seared and cooked through, Turn once to get the grill marks on both sides. Remove and set aside
- Grill the peppers and set aside. Add some of the marinade to the peppers and onions when you fry them.
- Grill the onions and add to the peppers.
- Season the peppers and onions with salt, pepper, and cumin. Taste first as they may be seasoned enough from the marinade.
- Return the chicken peppers and onions to the grill pan or skillet.
- Toss to combine.
- Serve with warmed flour tortillas. Use Corn tortillas if you are gluten free.
- Add your favorite toppings, Cilantro Lime Creme, or Charred Tomatillo Salsa Verde, Lime juice. avocado, tomato salsa, sour cream, or cheese.
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FAQ for Chicken Fajitas
What do I add to Fajitas?
When it comes to making fajitas, there are a variety of delicious ingredients that can be added to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. Some popular additions include sliced bell peppers, onions, and a variety of spices such as cumin, paprika, and chili powder. These ingredients not only add a burst of flavor but also provide a colorful and visually appealing presentation. Other common additions include sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro. These toppings can be placed on the side or directly on top of the fajitas to add a creamy and tangy element. Ultimately, the choice of ingredients to add to fajitas is a matter of personal preference, allowing for endless customization options to suit individual tastes.
Why are my Fajitas Dry?
There can be several reasons why your chicken fajitas are turning out dry. One possible reason is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts, in particular, have a tendency to dry out quickly if overcooked. To prevent this, cook the chicken just until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. To keep your chicken fajitas moist, consider using cuts like chicken thighs or adding a marinade to enhance flavor and moisture. Lastly, not using enough sauce or liquid while cooking can also result in dry fajitas. Ensure that you have enough sauce or liquid to keep the chicken and vegetables moist throughout the cooking process.
Are Fajitas Healthy?
Fajitas can be a healthy option when prepared with the right ingredients and cooking methods. The main components of fajitas are typically grilled or sautéed meats, such as chicken or beef, along with vegetables like bell peppers and onions. These ingredients provide a good balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals. However they can also be made Vegan with a plant based protein. However, it’s important to be mindful of the portion sizes and toppings. Choosing lean cuts of meat, using whole wheat tortillas, and adding fresh salsa or guacamole instead of high-fat sour cream or cheese can help keep fajitas a nutritious choice. Additionally, opting for homemade fajitas allows for control over the amount of added salt and unhealthy fats.
Should Fajitas have Cheese?
The addition of cheese to fajitas is a matter of personal preference. Traditionally, fajitas are made with grilled or sautéed meat, onions, and peppers, wrapped in a tortilla. Cheese is not a traditional ingredient in fajitas, but some people enjoy adding it for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess. However, others argue that cheese can overpower the flavors of the other ingredients and make the dish too heavy. Ultimately, whether or not to include cheese in fajitas is up to the individual’s taste and preference. Some may enjoy the gooey texture and richness that cheese brings, while others prefer the simplicity of the traditional recipe.
FAQ:
Q: Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
A: Yes, marinating overnight enhances the flavor, but 2-4 hours is usually sufficient for tender and flavorful chicken.
Q: Are there substitutes for sweet peppers?
A: While sweet peppers are ideal for their flavor and nutrients, you can use green bell peppers or poblano peppers for a slightly different taste.
Q: How can I make the dish spicier?
A: Add extra chili powder, red pepper flakes, or a sliced jalapeño to the marinade for more heat.
Q: Can I cook the fajitas in advance?
A: Yes, you can prepare the chicken, peppers, and onions ahead of time and reheat them when ready to serve.
Q: What are some low-carb options for serving?
A: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas or serve the chicken and vegetables over a bed of cauliflower rice.
Q: Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
A: Pre-cooked chicken can work in a pinch, but fresh marinated chicken strips will provide the best flavor and texture.
Chicken Fajitas
Equipment
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- To see the ingredient amounts in metric units, click the blue "METRIC:" button between the ingredients and the instructions for this recipe.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup olive or grapeseed oil
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or plain paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
Fajitas
- 1 ½ lb boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3 bell peppers, 1 red, 1 yellow 1 orange cut into strips
- 1 large sweet onion cut into pieces
- warmed flour tortillas
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the marinade
- Whisk together the ingredients for the marinade.
- Slice the chicken breast into strips and add them to the marinade.
- Marinade the chicken breast pieces for 2 hours.
Make the fajitas
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Cook in 2 or 3 small batches. Set aside
- Add the slices of peppers and onions to the skillet and season with salt pepper and cumin. Cook about 5-7minutes.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to combine.
- Serve with warm flour tortillas, charred tomatillo salsa verde, cilantro lime crema. sour cream, slice of lime.
