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Cast iron pan with flavorful chicken fajitas - marinated chicken strips, onions, and green, red, and yellow bell peppers. Sides of guacamole, shredded cheese and a fresh lime are on the side.

FLAVORFUL CHICKEN FAJITAS


Description

Flavorful chicken fajitas are a perfect dinner when the family is craving Mexican and you want them to eat healthily.  These delicious chicken fajitas get their flavor from a tangy marinade and a spicy seasoning rub.


Ingredients

Scale

For the marinade:

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup tequila
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced
  • ½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the seasoning rub:

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

For the fajitas:

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 bell peppers, thinly sliced (I used one green, one red, and one yellow)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ lime

For serving:

  • Tortillas
  • Guacamole
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped fresh tomatoes or pico de gallo

Instructions

Make the marinade.

Place the chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, tequila, lime juice and zest, cilantro, salt, sugar, garlic, and black pepper until the sugar and salt are dissolved.

Pour the mixture over the chicken in the bag.  Squeeze the air out of the bag, seal, and massage the marinade into the chicken breasts.

Refrigerate and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Meanwhile, make the seasoning rub.

In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, Mexican oregano, salt, pepper, and brown sugar.  Combine well and set aside.

Make the fajitas.

Remove the chicken from the marinade.

Generously sprinkle the seasoning rub on both sides of the chicken and press it into the meat.

Place a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the oil and warm until shimmering.

Sear the chicken breasts for about 6 minutes on each side.  Remove to a plate and allow to rest.

To the same skillet, add the bell peppers and onions.  Saute the vegetables until tender – about 4-5 minutes.

Slice the chicken into strips or cut it into chunks.  

Add the chicken slices back to the skillet and toss them with the vegetables.

Squeeze the lime over the meat and vegetables.  Cook for 1-2 minutes without stirring to allow some of the chicken and vegetables to caramelize around the edges.  Toss once and remove from the heat.

Serve hot with tortillas and assorted toppings.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Marinating time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish - Chicken
  • Method: Pan saute
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: flavorful chicken fajitas, chicken fajitas, chicken fajita recipe, Mexican food, fajitas, chicken, chicken marinade