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A close-up shot of a sizzling cast iron skillet filled with vibrant Chicken Fajitas, served with tortillas and fresh toppings on the side.

Sizzling Classic Chicken Fajitas

A vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender strips of marinated chicken, sweet bell peppers, and onions, all sizzled to perfection. This recipe brings the authentic taste of Mexican fajitas to your table with minimal effort and maximum impact.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken breast boneless, skinless, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin ground
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp Onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp Oregano dried
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
For the Fajitas
  • 1 Red bell pepper sliced thinly
  • 1 Green bell pepper sliced thinly
  • 1 Yellow bell pepper sliced thinly
  • 1 large Onion sliced thinly
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
For Serving (Optional)
  • 8-12 Flour tortillas warm
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole or sliced avocado
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Lime wedges

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large cast-iron skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Tongs

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced chicken breast with 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well to ensure all chicken strips are evenly coated. Let it marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes for a deeper flavor.
Prepare Vegetables
  1. While the chicken marinates, slice all bell peppers (red, green, yellow) and the large onion into thin, uniform strips. This ensures even cooking.
Cook the Fajitas
  1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet (or any heavy-bottomed pan) over medium-high heat until it shimmers and is very hot. This high heat is crucial for a good sear.
  2. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the hot skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender-crisp and slightly charred. Avoid overcooking them; they should still have a bite. Remove the cooked vegetables from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
  3. Increase the heat to high. Add the marinated chicken strips to the same skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches to ensure it browns properly and doesn't steam.
  4. Cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, or until it is cooked through, nicely browned, and has some delicious charred edges. Use tongs to flip the pieces.
  5. Once the chicken is fully cooked, return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the chicken. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes to combine the flavors and heat the vegetables through.
Serve
  1. Serve the sizzling chicken and vegetable mixture immediately. Offer with warm flour tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings such as salsa, guacamole or sliced avocado, sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing.

Notes

For an extra smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of chipotle powder to the chicken marinade. If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, any large, heavy-bottomed pan will work effectively. The key to good fajitas is cooking at high heat to achieve a nice sear on both the chicken and vegetables.