Sizzling, Restaurant-Style Chicken Fajitas Are a Weeknight Win (2024)

For the fajitas

• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts

• Salt, to taste

• 2 tablespoons canola or extra virgin olive oil

• 1 large onion, sliced lengthwise (root to tip) into 1/4-inch strips

• 3 pepper bell peppers (various colors), sliced into 1/4-inch strips

For the marinade

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  See Also

  Chicken Fricassee (Fricase de Pollo)

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

For serving

• 8 to 12 flour tortillas

• Homemade or store-bought salsa

• Sliced avocado or guacamole

• Sour cream

• Thinly sliced iceberg lettuce dressed lightly with salt and cider vinegar

1. Cut thick chicken breasts in half horizontally:

   Chicken breasts come in different sizes. If you have chicken breasts that are around a half pound each or more, you will want to slice them in half horizontally, so that the center thickness is around 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick.

   (We do not recommend pounding the chicken breasts, doing so will not result in the right texture/consistency for fajitas.)

   

   

2. Marinate the chicken:

   Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a glass or plastic container. Add the chicken, mix well, cover and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours in the fridge.

   

3. Remove the chicken from the marinade:

   Wipe off most of the marinade and sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt.

4. Sear the chicken on high heat:

   Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large cast iron frying pan on high heat for a minute or so.

   As soon as the oil begins to smoke, lay the chicken breast pieces in the pan. Depending on the size of the pan, and if you have had to cut the chicken breasts, you may have to work in batches.

   Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes, until you have a good sear. Once seared well on one side, turn the pieces over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until well seared on the second side.

   

   

5. Stack the seared breasts, cover with foil, and let rest:

   Once seared on the second side, remove to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil to rest for 5 minutes.

   If you want to test for doneness, cut into one piece with the tip of a sharp knife. It should be just done, if not, you can put it back in the hot pan for a minute or two.

   Here's a tip: Stack the seared chicken breasts and then cover them in foil. Together they will retain heat better as you cook the peppers and onions.

   

   

6. Sauté the peppers and onions:

   While the chicken is resting, cook the onions and peppers. Add another tablespoon of oil to the frying pan. Heat on high. As soon as the oil is hot, add the onions and peppers to the pan.

   Use a metal spatula to scrape up some of the browned bits from the chicken and stir to coat the onions and peppers with the oil and brown bits. Spread the onions and peppers in an even layer in the pan.

   Let them cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. You want them to sear with some blackening. Stir the vegetables and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

   

7. Slice the chicken and serve:

   Slice the chicken across the grain into strips. Serve at once with the peppers and onions, some warm tortillas, and sides of shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, and/or thinly sliced iceberg lettuce dressed with vinegar and salt.

   Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

   

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.