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!
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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:
Originally published in April 2017 using a rather generic Mexican seasoning / marinade which I no longer use – original recipe here. It’s unusual for me to republish a recipe so soon after the original publish date, but the marinade in this new recipe is so much better. It’s based on either a Rick Bayless or Bobby Flay recipe, I cannot recall. 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.
This was a nice zippy but not overpowering fajita marinade and charing the veg in a cast iron pan really makes all the difference in the flavour imo. Also made some Pico de Gallo and lime crema and added shredded cheese and lettuce to make the kiddos happy.
Thanks Nagi!
Sounds like you nailed it Holly!! N x
Soooo TASTY!!! I made this extra saucy, extra fruit juice and added bone broth, and served over whole grains topped with salsa, greek yogurt & avocado. I’ve eaten it for the past three days, it’s simple, healthy and DEEEEELICIOUS!!! Thank you for sharing!
So easy and so good. Have made numerous times now, got the family stamp of approval. I’m not keen on cumin so I substitute smoky paprika in the marinade.
Good tip! N x
This is a really great, fresh family dinner. We all loved it for a mid week meal.
I am glad you enjoyed it, Anita! N x
Absolutely love reading your comments! Your recommendations for substitutions are excellent (and comforting). Thank you!
Thank you Nagi!
You are my go-to woman. They were great! I added in some smoked paprika
And served them with your Guacamole recipie and salad
Thank you!
Just made this today for Father’s Day lunch! What a hit with the dad and so easy to put together.
5-star recipe! I didn’t have orange juice, but I did have pineapple juice as suggested for a substitute. It was delicious! Thank you for another great recipe!!!
Just tried the fajitas. Delicious! Unfortunately for me, they will be our new go-to for fajitas (no more buying pre made at the butcher 😉 ). I sliced the chicken prior to marinating and cooked them on a flattop on the barbecue for convenience. Dead easy, and excellent taste. Thank you for the recipe.
Would it work if you cooked the chicken on the grill?
These are simply the best fajitas, the flavor is awesome and it all comes together quickly.
Nagi, have you ever cooked/baked banana peels? Interesting article in The New York Times on May 10, 2021, including a brief history and recipes. You seem to enjoy experimenting so I wondered if this is something you’ve tried.
Delicious! I know I can always count on your recipes. We had this with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. Corn on the cob on the side. What a great meal 🙂
Delicious – love the orange juice marinade. Perfect.
I usually make my fajitas in the slow cooker. Was too late to get it on today, so tried yours … was always happy with my other version but this had so much more flavour, definitely something to do with charring the peppers. I did stick a good spoonful of chilli in the marinade with the cumin (pinched from my other recipe). Another winner, thanks Nagi!
Delicious! Love that this can be prepped and frozen ahead of time too.
Truly the best recipe i have come across for fajitas. It was delicious and i will be making it a whole lot more. You recipes are amazing Nagi!
Gorgeous recipe Nagi
This is now on my favourite recipes list! I’ve made it multiple times now and is the perfect answer to your Mexican cravings 😄
Awesome recipe! So quick and easy. I changed it up and had it over brown rice 🙂
Yum! Made this for dinner tonight; I added a splash of tequila and some ancho chile powder to the marinade. My family loved it—only problem was I didn’t make enough! Great flavor. After caramelizing the chicken and cooking partially, I sliced it and returned to the pan to sear it all.