Chicken fajitas

Chicken fajitas

20 min
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavours of Tex-Mex with our chicken fajitas recipe. It combines smoked paprika, zesty lime, sweet mango, and creamy avocado to create an irresistible taste. Wrapped in warm tortillas and topped with creamy white cheese, it is ideal for a quick lunch, an easy midweek dinner, or a dinner with friends.
https://arlauk.cmsstage.com/recipes/chicken-fajitas/

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 170 °C.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan. Add peppers and onions and cook for 8 minutes until slightly charred and soft. Set aside and keep warm, covered with foil.
  • Heat the rest of the oil and cook the chicken strips for 8 minutes, turning the pieces over halfway through.
  • Add smoked paprika and the juice of 2 limes and cook for 30 more seconds.
  • Add the cooked onions and peppers as well as mango slices. Cook for a minute, remove from the heat and cover.
  • Wrap the tortillas in foil and bake for 5 minutes, until warm.
  • Halve and stone the avocados. Scoop the flesh out and roughly crush it, mixing it with the juice of 1 lime. Season to taste.
  • Divide the chicken mixture between the tortillas and top with crushed avocado, coriander leaves, and white cheese. Roll and serve with slices of lime on the side.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about chicken fajitas

Whether you are new to fajitas or have mastered the recipe, our questions and answers below will help you get to know everything you need about this Tex-Mex recipe.

What are chicken fajitas?
Chicken fajitas are a classic Tex-Mex dish featuring tender strips of chicken sautéed with peppers and onions, all seasoned with smoky spices. They are typically served with warm flour tortillas and topped with avocado, cheese, or fresh herbs.
How to store chicken fajitas?
To store leftover chicken fajitas, keep the chicken, vegetables, and tortillas in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The chicken and vegetables will keep well for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm the chicken and vegetables in a pan to retain their texture and flavour, and wrap the tortillas in foil before heating them in the oven. This way, they will taste just as fresh as the day they were made.
What to serve with chicken fajitas?
They are delicious on their own, but for a truly complete meal, serve your fajitas with classic sides like Mexican rice or creamy refried beans. Add a refreshing touch with avocado salsa or guacamole, which balances the smoky spices with rich creaminess, or a light crunch with a vibrant corn salad.
Can you make chicken fajitas in an air fryer?
You can make the filling for the fajitas in an air fryer for a quick and easy alternative. Simply coat the chicken strips, peppers, and onions in oil and seasoning, then air fry at 180 °C for about 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure everything cooks evenly. While the air fryer will not give you the same char as a frying pan, it is a more convenient way to prepare it. Once the chicken and vegetables are ready, toss in the mango slices, add the mixture to the tortillas, roll, and serve!

Ingredients

Cooking oil
4 tbsp
Large red onion
1
Large red peppers, cored and sliced
2
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
600 g
Large mango, peeled, stoned, and sliced
1
Smoked paprika
1 tsp
Lime fruits
3
Avocados
3
A handful of fresh ground coriander
Flour tortillas
8
Apetina® Green Olives & Garlic White Cheese Cubes in Oil (or in brine)
165 g
Other recipes
See more

Tips: Perfecting your chicken fajitas

Improve your chicken fajitas with these expert tips, which are intended to help you create a dish brimming with delicious flavour. Keep reading below to learn more!

Master the chargrill effect

Achieving that signature chargrilled flavour starts with getting your pan hot enough to produce smoke before adding your ingredients. This high heat is essential for creating the light char that imbues your chicken and vegetables with a smoky, deep flavour reminiscent of authentic Tex-Mex grills. Use tongs to keep everything moving in the pan, ensuring an even char without burning.

Allow the chicken to rest

For juicy, tender chicken, allow it to rest after cooking. Transfer the seared chicken to a cutting board and cover it loosely with aluminium foil for around 10 minutes. This step ensures the juices are redistributed, making every slice moist and full of flavour. Stacking the chicken pieces under the foil helps retain warmth until serving.

Save time and make ahead

Prepare your chicken fajitas in advance by preparing the chicken, slicing the vegetables, and even cooking the ingredients beforehand. Store them separately in the fridge and assemble them just before serving them for a quick meal on busy days.

Easy chicken fajitas

Bring the flavours of Tex-Mex to your kitchen with this easy chicken fajitas recipe. The ingredients require very little preparation, and you can have everything ready in just about 20 minutes. Because it is so tasty and convenient, our fajitas are perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner.

For more easy and convenient recipes, check out our black bean salad, corn fritters with paneer, and sushi burritos.

Juicy chicken with smoked paprika and zesty lime juice

The secret to flavourful fajitas lies in the spices used for grilling the chicken. Smoked paprika provides a robust, smoky taste that infuses the chicken with warmth and depth. Paired with lime juice, this combination delivers a lively balance of spice and tang. The lime helps tenderise the chicken, making it succulent and juicy once cooked, so you get moist chicken infused with the delicious flavours of paprika and lime.

Tossed with charred vegetables and sweet mango

The charred vegetables and sweet mango make these fajitas even tastier. The smoky peppers and onions make for a nice, savoury background for the sweetness of the mango, which lends a tropical note to the dish. The caramelisation of the peppers deepens their flavour, while the softened onions provide an almost sweet yet savoury base. The mango, sliced and warmed through, balances the savoury richness with its natural sweetness.

Topped with crushed avocado, coriander leaves, and white cheese

Top your fajitas with crushed avocado, fresh coriander leaves, and a scattering of white cheese to tie everything together. The smooth avocado brings richness to the dish, while the coriander adds a freshness. The tangy white cheese is soft and creamy, which complements the savoury, spiced chicken and grilled vegetables very well.

An all-time Mexican favourite

Chicken fajitas have become a beloved symbol of Tex-Mex cuisine, which itself is a vibrant fusion of Mexican and American culinary traditions. The dish has roots in the ranches of northern Mexico, where cowboys would prepare simple meals with whatever fresh ingredients were on hand.

Over time, this humble combination of marinated meats and vegetables cooked over an open flame has evolved into a modern favourite, capturing the lively flavours and festive spirit of Mexican cooking. The sizzling sound of the ingredients hitting the hot pan and the colourful array of toppings make it a true Mexican favourite that has found a special place on tables worldwide.

Give the recipe a personal touch

Experiment with the recipe to give it your favourite flavours. Try swapping out the chicken for shrimp or steak, or pan-fry some mixed mushrooms until thoroughly browned and savoury. Play around with the toppings, from mild and tangy tomatillo salsa to a fiery chilli-laden salsa roja. Fresh herbs such as parsley or oregano provide a different herbal note if you want to try something other than coriander.

For those who enjoy a bit of heat, sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce can add a spicy kick. If you are looking to balance the spicy or rich and smoky flavours, think about adding a cooling element like a dollop of sour cream or some crumbled queso fresco. Pickled red onions or radishes can also bring a sharp, refreshing contrast.

Arla Foods UK
Arla Foods Ltd
4 Savannah Way
Leeds Valley Park, Leeds, LS10 1AB
Company registration number: 02143253
Call us: 0113 382 7000
Write to us
Other Arla sites
Arla in other countries
Key information
Follow Us
© Arla Foods amba 2024