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A close-up shot of delicious chicken fajitas on a wooden plate with lettuce and lemon wedges, accompanied by guacamole and extra fajitas in bowls.
Reda

Sizzling Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Juicy, marinated chicken strips and crisp-tender bell peppers and onions, all seared to smoky perfection in a single skillet. An incredibly flavorful and easy recipe for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 462

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken & Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into 1/4-inch strips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large lime juiced (about 2 tbsp)
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Vegetables
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 medium bell peppers assorted colors (red, yellow, green), thinly sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
For Serving
  • 8 flour or corn tortillas warmed
  • Optional toppings sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, cilantro

Equipment

  • Large Cast Iron Skillet or Heavy-Bottomed Pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
  2. Add the sliced chicken to the bowl and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for more flavor.
Cook the Fajitas
  1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until it's very hot. Add the marinated chicken to the skillet in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened but still have a slight crispness (crisp-tender). Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as they cook.
  3. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Serve the sizzling chicken and vegetable mixture immediately with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese.

Notes

Marinade Time: For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you're short on time, 15 minutes will still be delicious.
Don't Crowd the Pan: When cooking the chicken, make sure it's in a single layer. This allows it to sear and get a nice char instead of steaming. Cook in batches if your skillet isn't large enough.
Storage: Store leftover fajita mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.