Chicken Fajitas

By Ali Slagle

Published March 10, 2023

  • Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Christine Albano.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
40 minutes
Rating
5(4,577)
Comments
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You might think fajitas are too fussy for a weeknight, but this easy, foolproof version roasts on a sheet pan and can be ready in an hour. Because the ingredients are thinly sliced, everything cooks in a flash — and with little attention required. Smoked paprika, chipotle chiles and a quick stop under the broiler provide the smoky flavor that would traditionally come from the grill. This recipe is very adaptable: Chicken is called for here, but you could also use shrimp or skirt steak. For a vegetarian version, substitute fresh corn kernels, mushrooms, poblano peppers or zucchini for the meat. Cut the vegetables into sizes you’d want in a taco, coat them in the lime-chipotle marinade, roast until cooked, then broil until charred.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 6 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 lime, zested and juiced (about 2 teaspoons zest and 2 tablespoons juice)

  • 1 to 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, to taste, coarsely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin or crushed cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into ½-inch-thick slices

  • 3 bell peppers, any color or a combination

  • 1 large red onion

  • 8 flour tortillas, plus more as needed

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

62 grams carbs; 124 milligrams cholesterol; 732 calories; 20 grams monosaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 33 grams fat; 6 grams fiber; 1132 milligrams sodium; 48 grams protein; 9 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together 4 tablespoons oil, the lime zest and juice, chipotle chiles, cumin and paprika with 1 ½ teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken, toss to coat and set aside to marinate while you prepare the vegetables.

  2. Step 2

    Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise, remove stem and seeds and cut into ¼-inch slices. Peel and halve the onion and cut it into ¼-inch slices. On a sheet pan, toss the bell peppers and onion with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

  3. Step 3

    Gently shaking off excess marinade as you go, transfer the chicken to a second sheet pan. Roast the chicken and vegetables until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Once the chicken is out of the oven, move an oven rack close to the broiler. Turn on the broiler and transfer the sheet pan of vegetables to the rack. Broil until charred to your liking, 2 to 5 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    While the vegetables are broiling, place the tortillas directly on a free oven rack until warm, about 1 minute, flipping once halfway through. Wrap the tortillas in a kitchen towel or foil to keep them warm.

  6. Step 6

    Serve chicken and vegetables with tortillas and desired toppings.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
4,577 user ratings
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Comments

Bicka

This was excellent. Followed the directions but I had already chopped adobo chilis so I added about 1 tbs which turned out well. I saw one comment that you should not roast the veggies with the meat, only broil them which I think is so wrong. The roasting softens and sweetens the peppers and onion and then broiling gives them a bit of smokiness. Next time I will make more chicken to the peppers since I ended up with lots of leftover peppers but no chicken.

mj

There are easier ways to make fajitas. Cut up chicken or mushrooms, slice peppers, onions, maybe a zucchini and stirfry. Add a little taco seasoning and salsa. Put it on a tortilla and add cheese if you like. And you can heat tortillas on a dry skillet, medium heat. The next night have the leftovers with fish tacos. Tilapia or any mild flavored fish--- dredge them in taco seasoning and fry for a few minutes on each side. Add salsa and chopped cabbage if you have it.

Christy

Easy but don’t put the veggie pan in when you put chicken pan in! Directions aren’t clear. Wait and only do veggies 5 min or less under broiler

Will

Great! Just made the chicken, Mal made other veg for fajitas. Do chicken thighs. Just marinate for a few minutes is fine. Easy!

Justine

I used chicken thighs and cooked it all on one sheet pan, roasting and broiling the chicken and veggies together. Worked well and one less pan to clean!

Lynne

Cumin and paprika (with some hot dried red chile of some kind bc I was out of smoked paprika) make a unique flavor combo - musky, earthy, kind of sexy. Add a zip of lime flavor, and wow! Another hit from Ali Slagle - keep it up, Ali!

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