Ingredients:
Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables:
- 2 bell peppers (any color, a mix is even better), thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings (suggestions):
- Warm flour tortillas
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions:
Make the Marinade:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the sliced chicken in a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally several hours or overnight.
Cook the Vegetables:
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over high heat. Add the olive oil.
- When the oil is just starting to smoke, add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and slightly charred. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
- In the same skillet, add a tiny bit more oil if needed. Heat over high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned.
Assemble and Serve:
- Warm your tortillas.
- Place the chicken and vegetables on a sizzling platter if you have one, otherwise on a large plate or serving dish.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, cilantro, and warm tortillas.
Tips:
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches to ensure proper browning and searing.
- Get that Sizzle: A cast-iron skillet provides the best sizzling effect and helps keep things hot for serving.
- Customize it: Add other vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or corn. Experiment with different spices or create your own marinade.
- Spice level: Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level of your fajitas.
Enjoy your restaurant-style chicken fajitas!
