One of the more popular Tex-Mex dishes is chicken fajitas, represented by bright flavors, fall-apart chicken, and colorful vegetables. The distinction between a good chicken fajita and a bad one, though, really begins with fajita seasoning, an aromatic spice blend that summons the bright flavors of the dish. Learn to make chicken fajitas from scratch with homemade or store-bought fajita seasoning, with tips for perfect cooking and serving.
What are Fajitas?
Chicken fajita is a Tex-Mex dish where marinated and grilled or sautéed chicken is stir-fried with bell peppers and onions, then served in warm tortillas topped with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Forbidden methods of preparing fajitas include the inclusion of meat, although chicken fajitas are lighter, leaner, and healthier while also easy to prepare. The meat flavor component of the chicken fajitas is the **fajita seasoning**, which is a spice mix that has been characterized by flavor from the dish.
What is Fajita Seasoning and Why Do You Need It?
Fajita seasoning is a great combination of spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano that will bring all the smoky, slightly spicy flavors to your dish. Whether you get your fajita seasoning pre-packaged or make it yourself, seasonings will make your chicken and vegetables so much deeper and savory for fajitas you won’t be able to resist them.
Chicken Fajitas Ingredients
Make chicken fajitas for four with these simple ingredients, which can easily be multiplied if you have a crowd.
Chicken Fajitas
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for a juicier option)
- 1 large onion, sliced into strips
- 2-3 bell peppers, sliced into strips, preferably a variety of red, yellow, and green for an attractive mix
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Tortillas (flour or corn, to taste)
To make Fajita Seasoning
If you like to make your own seasoning, here is a simple blend:
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked if you want it more smoky)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, in case you want some heat)
To serve
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
Chicken Fajitas with Fajita Seasoning Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prepare the Chicken
Slice the chicken breasts into thin, wide strips, approximately 1/2 inch. By cutting them into strips, they will cook evenly and quickly-how fajitas are meant to be.
Tip: Put the chicken in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before cutting. This will allow the meat to harden, making it much easier to achieve cuts of similar sizes.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Add flavor to your chicken by marinating it with the fajita seasoning. If you are using homemade seasonings, combine all the spices together in a small bowl. You may also use prepared fajita seasoning.
Marinade Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning (homemade or commercial)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 tablespoons water (optional: to thin the marinade so it distributes more easily and evenly over the chicken)
Place all the chicken strips in a large bowl. Add the fajita seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, and water to it. Toss the chicken strips well in order to coat them in the marinade. Let the chicken strips marinate in room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes. If you have more time, then you can let the chicken marinate for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This will bring out even greater depth of flavors from the chicken.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
Let the chicken marinate while you begin preparing the vegetables. In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. Throw in the sliced onions and bell peppers, stirring occasionally, until they are tender but a little crunchy, about 5-7 minutes. You want slightly charred edges for that authentic fajita flavor.
Once you have sautéed the vegetables, remove them from the pan and arrange them on a plate. Do not leave them in the pan as it gets further reheated.
4. Cooking the Chicken
In the same pan with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil still there, place over the medium-high heat. Add chicken strips marinated earlier, single layering since you don’t wish to overcrowd the pan. Likely that the chicken will have to be cooked in parts if your pan is not large.
Brown the chicken pieces by cooking for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is well done. Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or when the juices run clear.
Tip: To add a bit of a smokiness flavor, grill the chicken strips instead of pan-cooking it. Grill the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side on medium-high heat.
5. Combine Chicken with Veggies
Add the caramelized onions and bell peppers back into the skillet. Stir everything together and warm for another 1-2 minutes to warm up the vegetables and meld the flavors.
6. Heat the Tortillas
While your chicken and vegetables are cooking, warm your tortillas. You can do this by wrapping them in foil and placing them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes, or quickly heating them in a dry skillet for 30 seconds on each side.
Serving Chicken Fajitas
Serve by placing the chicken and vegetable mixture in the middle of the table, accompanied by warm tortillas and all your favorite toppings. Some good old-fashioned fajita accompaniments include:
- Salsa: Fresh tomato salsa brightens things up.
- Guacamole: Rich guacamole is a great foil to the fiery taste of the fajita seasoning.
- Sour cream: Sour cream will help temper the heat and bring a little cool relief.
- Shredded cheese: Melted Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese adds a lovely topping to the warm fajitas.
- Lime wedges: Squeeze fresh lime juice over for a brightening touch.
- Fresh cilantro: Sprinkle chopped cilantro for a light finish.
Simply stuff chicken and vegetables inside a tortilla, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Chicken Fajitas Tips
1. Fresh Ingredients: Fresh bell peppers, onions, and even a squeeze of fresh lime juice make all the difference in flavor.
2. Marinade: While a short marinade is good, the longer you can marinate the chicken, the better it will taste.
3. Don’t Overcrowd: If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken cooks by steaming, not searing. Cook in batches if necessary.
4. Char the Veggies: Grilled vegetables a bit charred are what give fajitas that authentic, restaurant-style flavor.
5. Tweak the Heat: Turn up or turn down the heat on your fajita seasoning by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper or chili powder.
Alternative Chicken Fajitas
Chicken fajitas are amazing already, but here’s how you can make it more yours:
- Vegetarian Fajitas: Use portobello mushrooms, zucchini, or tofu in place of the chicken for a vegetarian alternative to the dish.
- Beef Fajitas: Use thinly sliced flank or skirt steak if you’d like some good old-fashioned beef fajitas.
- Shrimp Fajitas: Omit shrimp for a lighter seafood version.
- Low-Carb Fajitas: Simply omit the tortillas and serve the chicken with vegetables over a bed of lettuce or cauliflower rice to make it a low-carb meal.
Conclusion
Making chicken fajitas with fajita seasoning is actually a pretty simple way to have that flavorful Tex-Mex at home. With correct spices and cooking techniques, you can even make your very own restaurant-quality fajitas perfect for family dinners, parties, or meal prep. Whether you’re using homemade fajita seasoning or store-bought, this recipe is sure to impress. Don’t forget to modify toppings to taste, and indulge in the lively flavors of this Tex-Mex classic.