These Chicken Fajitas have a terrific flavour hit from a really great Fajita marinade. Served alongside charred capsicum and onion, stuff them inside warm tortillas for a tasty Mexican Fajita fiesta for dinner tonight!
Chicken Fajitas
Whenever I see rainbow coloured capsicum on sale at the stores, I immediately think of Fajitas.
I know, I know, full points for (un)originality.
Though to be fair, when I see just redcapsicum on sale, my first thought is the not so well known Spanish Romesco Sauce. The magic chargrilled capsicum-almond sauce that I use as a dip / sauce / marinade that I am abnormally addicted to.
So don’t crucify me for choosing the obvious when multi coloured capsicums are on sale!?
Fajita Chicken deserves a great marinade!
The secret ingredient in this marinade is orange juice. No, it doesn’t taste of oranges once cooked. When mixed with other savoury ingredients (lime, garlic, cumin, olive oil) then cooked, you end up with an incredibly flavourful chicken that’s savoury, fragrant and balanced with a hint of sweet.
Fruit juice is used in a wide range of marinades, from Cuban Mojo marinades to Mexican Pork Carnitas, to Korean Marinades to Hawaiian. It injects with subtle flavour and also the sugar brines like salt so proteins retain juiciness when cooked. Did you know that? There’s your cooking trivia for the day!
PS Don’t worry if you don’t have fresh or bottled OJ on hand. See recipe notes for alternatives.
Fajita Vegetables – a big hit of greens!
One of the reasons I enjoy Fajitas so much is that you get a good serve of veggies without even realising. To serve 4 people, I like to use 3 large capsicums (that’s bell peppers to some of you) and a large onion.
This way, I can stuff the warm tortillas with tons of veggies, then top with a sensible serving of chicken. A slice of avocado, a quick drizzle of sour cream and you’ll be clutching an overstuffed tortilla of Fajita goodness, ready to be devoured.
Go forth and fulfil your Fajita cravings!!! – Nagi x
Chicken Fajitas
Watch how to make it
Chicken Fajitas recipe video!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup / 65 ml lime juice
- 1/4 cup / 65 ml orange juice (Note 1 for subs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Fajitas:
- 700g / 1.2 lb skinless chicken thighs or 2 large chicken breasts , halved horizontally (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 capsicums / bell peppers , deseeded and sliced (red, yellow or green)
- 1 large onion , halved and sliced thickly (brown, yellow, white or red)
To Serve:
- 8– 12 small tortillas
- 1 large avocado , halved and sliced
- Sour cream
- Fresh lime wedges
Instructions
- Place Marinade ingredients in a large bowl and mix. Add chicken, toss well to coat. Marinade for 1 hour to 24 hours (or freeze immediately then defrost overnight).
- Use 2 skillets to cook the chicken and vegetables at the same time, if you can.
Vegetables:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy based skillet over high heat until smoking. Add vegetables to cover the base of the pan in a single layer without too much overlapping (I cook in 3 batches). Spread out, leave for 45 seconds (to char it).
- Toss quickly then spread out. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Leave 45 seconds, toss then spread out, then leave 45 seconds. Remove onto platter and repeat with remaining Vegetables.
Chicken:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until caramelised. Turn and cook the other side for 3 – 4 minutes.
- Remove onto a plate, cover loosely with foil. Rest for 3 minutes then slice.
To Serve:
- Warm tortillas using chosen method.
- Pile peppers and onion onto tortilla. Top with chicken, drizzle with sour cream, squeeze over lime juice. Fold, devour and be happy.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
You can hear the wheels turning in his head as he assesses the distance between him, the Fajitas and the door, versus me behind the camera.
Calculated risk assessment result: No go. Better chance of getting a treat for good behaviour.
Jenn says
I am the same way Nagi, when peppers are plentiful and on sale. I make Fajita’s at least once a week! I am trying your recipe tonight! Oooo, I can taste them now!
Gillian DidierSerre says
It’s summer in Toronto Canada and the peppers are gradually getting reasonable in price so fajitas are a great option 👍
BTW DOZER I am most impressed at your patience if it was Luca he would of A been drooling and B trying to “COUNTER SURF ” to get at the chicken fajitas 😈 but tks all round yummy
Nicole says
Your dog is so freaking cute. Thanks for the dinner recipe idea. This looks ama-zing!
Marisa Franca says
Looks so good. Can’t wait to unpack my iron griddle to make this recipe. Did you give Dozzer a bite? He looks awfully hungry.
Jamieanne says
Made this for dinner tonight! Perfect and delicious, as always! Thank you, Nagi! 🙂
Nagi says
Great to hear you enjoyed this Jamieanne! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 N x
Izel says
Delicious!! Just made it tonight and will definitely make it again! Thank you.
Nagi says
Fantastic! So glad you enjoyed this Izel! N x
Chantelle says
Delicious! I am pregnant and couldn’t stand the idea of cutting up any garlic or onion (or any strong smelling thing). This was perfect!! So simple, tasty…
I had no limes so I used 4 tbs of lemon juice. Basically I used the chicken marinade and grilled the chicken on the bbq, cubed the meat and had a lazy mans nachos. Except they tasted awesome! The chicken was the star. I only marinated it for 6 hours and it was tasty! I did cook it for a much longer time as even though I thought the chicken pieces were thin enough they were thick when cooking them. Plus right now I like things pretty well done… sorry!
My husband demolished his and even commented afterwards how it was tasty (feedback from him is like blood from a stone).
Another hit! Thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
PS Blood from a stone… 😂
Nagi says
Fantastic! So glad you both enjoyed this Chantelle! N x
Lani Sommerville says
This is my go to recipe for fajitas! I put the seasoning on leftover shredded chicken & do a quick fry. I also make a quick pickled red onion, guacamole, and salsa. The family also likes them w/sour cream. One of my family’s favs. Thanks Nagi!!!
Nagi says
That’s terrific to hear Lani! Great idea on using precooked chicken 🙂 So glad you enjoyed this – N x
Susan Cahillane says
Heating flour tortillas on a hot skillet (or on an open flame) will take your Mexican food dining to a whole new level.
Heating corn tortillas in hot oil will make you weep.
Grace says
Thanks for sharing this great recipe! My husband and I have enjoyed it very much!
Anna says
I am, truly, finally learning to expand my cooking skills now that I am retired and have more time. This recipe is excellent—I have made it twice for friends and they love it. Thank you for making me look good, Nagi! We used the leftovers for nachos the next day. (Only leftover because I made 1.5 times the recipe because that was the size of the chicken package.)
The taste I should excellent for those of us who do not like chipotle.
I have had so-so success with cake recipes from other sites, so will try your red velvet cake because I really like your detailed explanations and humour.
Thanks from deep in the woods in Canada!
Nagi says
Love hearing that Anna! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it! N xx
Nina says
Made these tonight and they are AMAZING. Way better than any restaurant nearby. I used enough seasoning for 3 breasts on just 2, because I like extra sense flavor. I also used a bit of chipotle powder. Fantastic! Thanks!
Nagi says
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback Nina, I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed this! N x ❤️
Jenny Crane says
Just made here tonight. This recipe is absolutely amazing. It was sooooooo good. Will be cooking this a lot!
Nagi says
I’m so pleased to hear that Jenny! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x 😊
Cory says
What about the other half of the chicken?
KP says
Fantastic fajita recipe! Tried this when it was my turn to cook for a friend – he loved it and asked to take the leftovers home, a sure sign of success! I used 2 breasts and the rest were pre-sliced chicken filets, let the rub & lime juice sit for about 3 hours before cooking. Both worked just fine and the flavor was wonderful!
Served with balck beans, a cabbage & carrot salad, salsa, greek yogurt (in place of sour cream), cojita cheese and tortillas.
Will be making again!!
Nagi says
That’s great to hear KP! Thanks for leaving a review! N x
John says
Outstanding….everybody here loved this dish. All the recipes I’ve tried have been so good, too! Also your videos are terrific and really pull it all together….Thanks
Nagi says
I’m so pleased to hear that John! Thank you! N xx
Kathy says
HI Nagi
I’ve made this before and everyone loves it! Since its summer here do you think I could grill the chicken on my bbq instead of cooking in a skillet?
Thanks!
Kathy
Nagi says
OMG YES! Even BETTER on the BBQ! 🙂 N xx
Kathy says
Thank you! I just read comments and am going to make now ahead of my company coming so I can just warm them quickly. I just watched the video, haven’t watched your videos before I LOVED it! My daughter heard the music and kept asking what is that?!
Katie says
So tender and delicious! Best Chicken Fajita recipe I have used. Everyone loved them. Ages 10 months to 70 yrs old. I used chicken tenderloin instead of breasts but they were delicious! Great job!
Nagi says
Awwwww I love that! 3 generations enjoying these Fajitas! 🙂 N xx
Diane says
Hi, can the chicken be cooked and then frozen for later. I have chicken that I need to cook but don’t need it yet.
Nagi says
Hi Diane! That will be fine – i actually did that myself with the very chicken you see in the photos!!
Gloria I. says
I am loving your recipes. I made this chicken fajita tacos last night. And brought left overs to work, my co-workers said the chicken was still so tender and they loved the taste.
Thank you. 🙂
Nagi says
Fantastic! So pleased to hear that Gloria, thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know! N xx