Nancy Lopez-McHugh with a modern take on the classic Chicken Fajita. Fresher, leaner and quicker than the traditional version.
By Nancy Lopez-McHugh
Fajitas are a very popular Tex-Mex dish that can be ordered off of any Tex-Mex menu or even some Mexican restaurant menus. Fajitas get their name from the skirt steak that is commonly used. Skirt steak in Spanish is faja, like many other words in Spanish ending in ita or ito it takes on a diminutive form of fajita. Fajitas are also made with chicken, shrimp, and a variety of vegetarian versions.
Typically fajitas are served with rice, beans, toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, cheese and a pile of tortillas. Though a delicious meal, it is a huge meal that will take a good deal of time to prepare. Most of us lead busy lives and don’t always have the time to prepare such a meal. I have the perfect recipe that you can prepare in about 30 minutes. The taste will still be delicious, and by leaving out all the additional toppings you will also enjoy a lower calorie meal.
Ingredients:
Serves 2
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
- 1 small yellow bell pepper, core, seeded and sliced into thin strips
- 1 small red bell pepper, core, seeded and sliced into thin strips
- 1 green bell pepper, core, seeded and sliced into thin strips
- bibb lettuce leaves
- Mexican queso fresco or Feta
- 1 tsp. granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne or chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin seed
- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
- pinch ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. sunflower or olive oil
- flour tortillas
1. In a small bowl combine all of the spices and set aside. Place the chicken strips inside a separate large bowl. Pour the spice mixture over the chicken and toss until well combined, set aside. Heat the oil in a large pan or grill, once warm add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir and push the chicken off to one side, add the peppers. Cook the ingredients until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers are the desired texture.
2. Warm the tortillas (either in a microwave or a hot griddle) place a lettuce leaf in the center of the tortilla. Spread some chicken and peppers on top of the lettuce leaf, then crumble or place a couple of pieces of the cheese.
3. Fold the bottom of the tortilla up about a couple of inches or about 4 centimeters, towards the center. Grab one side of the tortilla and tuck into the center, grab the opposite side and roll towards the center and around. If need be use toothpicks to help the wrap keep its shape.
‘wow!!’ was the first word out of my husband’s mouth when he had the chicken. And that’s saying a LOT since I’m not a very good cook. I didn’t make the wrap as per the recipe but the chicken was awesome!! This recipe is saved and will be used as a regular :). Thank you!
These fajitas look great, I am trying out this recipe, I hope it will come out well
How much
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is there in this dish per serving?
Love this..so fresh and beautiful! Love your photos too! Fantastic recipe, thanks Nancy so much for sharing!
Hi Sandra, Thank you and glad to hear you like it :)
These are gorgeous! Fajitas have always been a very favorite of mine.
Thank you Alisha :)
I adore fajitas, and these look scrumptious!
Thank you Sara!