Delicious and Easy Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe

Authentic chicken fajita recipe that’s bursting with flavor. Marinated chicken sautéed peppers and onions in warm tortillas a mouthwatering Tex Mex delight awaits you.

Here’s an authentic chicken fajita recipe for you:

Ingredients Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe

For the Marinade

• 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Fajitas

• 2 bell peppers (red green or yellow), thinly sliced
• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 8 small flour tortillas
• Sour cream guacamole and salsa for serving
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe

1/ In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: olive oil, lime juice minced garlic cumin chili powder smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

2/ Cut the chicken into thin strips and place them in a zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 2-4 hours.

3/ While the chicken is marinating heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium high heat. Once hot add a little oil then add the sliced onions and peppers. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly charred. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

4/ In the same skillet add a bit more oil if needed. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add it to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and has some charred edges.

5/ Once the chicken is cooked, return the sautéed peppers and onions to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat them through.

6/ Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for about 20 seconds.

7/ To serve, spoon the chicken and pepper mixture onto a warm tortilla. Top with sour cream guacamole salsa and fresh cilantro, if desired.

8/ Fold the tortilla over the filling, and your delicious chicken fajitas are ready to enjoy!

Feel free to customize your fajitas with additional toppings like shredded cheese diced tomatoes or jalapeños. Enjoy  homemade authentic chicken fajitas!

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Authentic Chicken Fajita

Marinate for Flavor: Give your chicken plenty of time to soak up the flavors of the marinade. Marinating for at least 30 minutes or ideally a few hours, will result in more flavorful fajitas.

Use Quality Chicken: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender and juicy fajitas. If using chicken breasts consider pounding them to an even thickness for uniform cooking.

Slice Ingredients Evenly: Ensure the chicken, onions, and peppers are all sliced into uniform strips. This ensures even cooking and makes for better fajita assembly.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When sautéing the chicken and vegetables, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook in batches if necessary to prevent steaming, which can result in less desirable texture and flavor.

Sear for Char: Searing the chicken and vegetables at high heat adds a delicious charred flavor.  Don’t be afraid to let them develop some charred edges.

Keep Tortillas Warm: Warm your tortillas just before serving. You can do this in a dry skillet, a microwave, or by wrapping them in foil and placing them in a warm oven.

Serve with Fresh Sides: Offer fresh toppings like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro for a burst of flavor and texture contrast.

Customize to Taste: Fajitas are versatile, so feel free to customize with your favorite toppings.

Prep Ahead: You can marinate the chicken in advance, and slice the vegetables and keep them in the fridge to save time on busy nights.

Use Leftovers Creatively: Leftover fajitas can be repurposed into salads, quesadillas, or used in a wrap for a quick and delicious meal the next day.

Double the Recipe: If you’re cooking for a crowd or want leftovers, double the recipe. Fajitas make great leftovers and can be easily reheated.

Cook Al Dente: Aim to keep the vegetables al dente. They should be tender but still have a slight crunch for better texture and flavor.

Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Common Mistakes to Avoid Making Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe

When making authentic chicken fajita recipe, there are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure your dish turns out delicious. Here are the key pitfalls to watch out for:

Overcooking the Chicken: Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. Make sure not to overcook the chicken during the initial sautéing, and be mindful of cooking times.

Under-Marinating the Chicken: Marinating the chicken for too short a time or skipping marination altogether can result in less flavorful fajitas. Aim for at least 30 minutes of marinating to infuse the chicken with flavor.

Crowding the Pan: Fajitas are best when the chicken and vegetables have room to sear and caramelize. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming instead of searing.

Soggy Vegetables: Be cautious not to overcook the vegetables to the point of becoming mushy. They should be tender but still have a slight crunch.

Using a Cold Pan: Start with a hot skillet or pan when sautéing the chicken and vegetables. This helps with proper searing and caramelization.

Neglecting the Char: Authentic chicken fajita recipe have a distinct charred flavor. Avoid flipping or stirring the ingredients too frequently allow them to develop some char on the cooking surface.

Not Using the Right Seasonings: Fajitas rely on a blend of spices like cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika for their signature flavor. Make sure you use these seasonings for an authentic taste.

Skipping Fresh Toppings: Fresh toppings like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro add a burst of flavor and texture. Skipping these can result in a less exciting fajita experience.

Using Stale Tortillas: Warm your tortillas just before serving. Stale or cold tortillas can detract from the overall quality of your fajitas.

Neglecting Uniform Slicing: Ensure that the chicken, onions, and peppers are sliced uniformly to promote even cooking and make assembly easier.

Overloading the Fajitas: While customization is great, overloading your fajitas with too many toppings can make them difficult to wrap and eat.

Not Resting the Chicken: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This helps retain the juices and keeps it tender.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to preparing a fantastic batch of authentic chicken fajitas that are bursting with flavor and have the perfect balance of textures.

Nutrition Facts

The nutrition facts for an authentic chicken fajita recipe can vary depending on portion size specific ingredients and any additional toppings or sides you include. Here’s a rough estimate for a basic chicken fajita without additional toppings (based on a serving size of one fajita with a 6-inch flour tortilla).

• Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per fajita.
• Protein: Around 25-30 grams of protein per fajita.
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 30-35 grams of carbohydrates per fajita.
• Dietary Fiber: 3-4 grams of dietary fiber per fajita.
• Fat: About 12-15 grams of fat per fajita.
• Saturated Fat: Approximately 2-3 grams of saturated fat per fajita.
• Cholesterol: Around 70-80 milligrams of cholesterol per fajita.
• Sodium: Roughly 600-700 milligrams of sodium per fajita.
• Potassium: Approximately 500-600 milligrams of potassium per fajita.

If you’re looking for more precise nutrition information, it’s a good idea to calculate it based on the exact brands and quantities of ingredients you use. Additionally, the nutrition facts may change if you include additional toppings or sides like sour cream, guacamole, or cheese.

Enjoy Authentic Chicken Fajita Recipe.