Need a quick and easy family dinner that everyone will love? Chicken fajita tacos are always a winner. Simple to make, gets the family together around a table, always a hit with kids and makes delicious leftovers. They are the perfect mid-week dinner for families on the run.
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Chicken Fajita Tacos Recipe
Chicken fajitas are a delicious and versatile Tex-Mex dish that has gained immense popularity for its bold flavors and customizable nature. Packed with savory grilled chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and caramelized onions, chicken fajitas offer a delightful combination of textures and tastes that make them a hit with both adults and kids alike. Make them Chicken fajita tacos and they are a winning family dinner.
The key to preparing mouthwatering chicken fajitas lies in the marination process. A zesty blend of lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and a hint of smoky paprika infuses the chicken with tangy and spicy notes. Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes or even overnight ensures that the flavors penetrate the meat, resulting in tender, juicy, and flavorful bites.
When it comes to cooking chicken fajitas, a hot skillet or grill is the preferred method. As the chicken cooks, the marinated spices create a mouthwatering crust on the outside while sealing in the juiciness within. Once cooked through, the chicken is thinly sliced, adding a layer of succulence to every bite.
The capsicum and onions play a crucial role in chicken fajitas, adding sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Sautée until slightly charred yet still crisp, these colorful vegetables provide a fresh and vibrant contrast to the smoky chicken. Combining the chicken, capsicum, and onions in a tortilla creates a harmonious medley of flavors and textures that is pure bliss.
To elevate the experience, garnish the fajitas with an array of toppings. Tangy salsa, creamy guacamole, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream add additional layers of richness and freshness. For a spicy kick, sprinkle some chopped jalapeños or drizzle hot sauce over the filling.
Ingredients
The great thing about chicken fajitas is that you can improvise a bit with what you have in your pantry. Here are our favourite ingredients:
Tortillas
Chicken thighs
Capsicum
Fajita seasoning
Coriander
Corn chips
Yoghurt
Mint
Lebanese cucumber
Lemon
Jalapenos
Instructions
In a bowl, mix the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning and keep aside for 15 minutes.
Heat oil in a large pan and shallow fry the chicken strips in batches; keep aside.
In the same pan, add the bell peppers and stir-fry on high heat for a few seconds. Add the fried chicken and the remaining fajita seasoning. Feel free to season with salt if necessary (remember the seasoning has salt, so taste and add if necessary). The amount of fajita seasoning may also be adjusted to suit personal heat preferences.
Step 4 - Remove from heat and keep aside
To prepare the cucumber yoghurt:
Beat the yoghurt well using a fork or whisk to break down the lumps and get a creamy consistency.
Squeeze out excess water from the grated cucumber and add it to the yoghurt.
Season with salt and dried mint
To prepare the fajita mix, mix all the spice powders and store in an airtight container
Variations
- Spicy Chipotle: Add a smoky and fiery twist to your chicken fajitas by incorporating chipotle peppers in adobo sauce into the marinade, giving the dish a bold and distinctive flavor profile.
- Teriyaki Fusion: Infuse your chicken fajitas with an Asian-inspired twist by marinating the chicken in a teriyaki sauce, incorporating flavors like soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Grill the chicken alongside a colorful mix of stir-fried veggies for a fusion delight.
- Citrus Infusion: Brighten up your chicken fajitas with a citrusy kick by incorporating the zest and juice of oranges, lemons, or limes into the marinade. The tangy citrus notes will add a refreshing element to the dish.
- Mediterranean Twist: Give your chicken fajitas a Mediterranean makeover by marinating the chicken in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a combination of Mediterranean herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Serve the grilled chicken with tzatziki sauce and a side of pita bread.
- Hawaiian Delight: Transport your taste buds to the tropics by adding a touch of Hawaii to your chicken fajitas. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for a sweet and savory flavor combination. Grill the chicken alongside pineapple slices for a tropical twist.
- Cajun Cajoling: Spice up your chicken fajitas with a Cajun-inspired flair. Season the chicken with a Cajun spice blend consisting of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and other aromatic herbs and spices for a bold and robust flavor profile.
- Veggie Power: If you're looking to incorporate more veggies, consider making vegetable fajitas by skipping the chicken and focusing on a colorful assortment of sautéed bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms. Season them with fajita spices for a tasty vegetarian option.
Chicken Fajita Tacos with Minty Cucumber Yoghurt
Ingredients
- Mini wheat tortillas
- 500 gms skinless chicken thighs; cut into thin strips
- 1 orange bell pepper; cut into strips
- 2 tablespoon Fajita season adjust to personal preferences
- 3-4 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
- Salt to season
- Lemon wedges to serve
- 2 fresh jalapenos; finely sliced optional
- Nachos; crushed
- Minty cucumber yoghurt:
- 1 Lebanese cucumber; finely grated
- 2 cups thick natural yoghurt
- teaspoon ½dried mint
- Salt to season
- Fajita seasoning:
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- teaspoon ½cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 crushed chicken bouillon/stock cube
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- teaspoon ½garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
Instructions
- Method:
- To prepare the chicken:
- In a bowl, mix the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning and keep aside for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large pan and shallow fry the chicken strips in batches; keep aside.
- In the same pan, add the bell peppers and stir-fry on high heat for a few seconds. Add the fried chicken and the remaining fajita seasoning. Season with salt if necessary (remember the seasoning has salt, so taste and add if necessary). The amount of fajita seasoning may also be adjusted to suit personal heat preferences.
- Remove from heat and keep aside.
- To prepare cucumber yoghurt:
- Beat the yoghurt well using a fork or whisk to break down the lumps and get a creamy consistency.
- Squeeze out excess water from the grated cucumber and add it to the yoghurt.
- Season with salt and dried mint.
- To prepare the Fajita seasoning:
- Mix all the spice powders and store in an airtight container.
- To assemble the tacos:
- On a tortilla, place a small amount of the chicken. Drizzle the minty yoghurt and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Add sliced jalapenos and crushed nachos. Squeeze a bit of lime and enjoy.
- Note – The sliced jalapenos are totally optional.
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