Can chicken fajitas be made ahead of time?

Fajitas truly shine when prepared fresh, yet prepping in advance can help. Marinating the chicken beforehand not only saves time but also infuses it with robust flavors, enhancing its taste and tenderness. Additionally, the onion and pepper mixture can be sliced and cooked ahead of time, then simply reheated in the microwave when you're ready to serve.

Can I use other meats instead of chicken for fajitas?

Absolutely! While chicken is a popular choice for fajitas, you can easily substitute it with beef (see my carne asada recipe) or shrimp (use the shrimp from my shrimp tacos recipe).

Chicken Fajitas - Once Upon a Chef

Chicken Fajitas

By Jenn Segal

Smoky grilled chicken, sizzling peppers and onions, and all the classic accompaniments—whip up chicken fajitas at home that rival those from your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant!

Servings: 4 to 6

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 35 Minutes, plus 8-24 hours to marinade

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1½ to 1¾ pounds chicken tenderloins or boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lime zest, from 2 limes
1 teaspoon cumin
¾ teaspoon oregano
¾ teaspoon ancho chile powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
8-12 small soft flour tortillas

For the Peppers

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large red onion, sliced ¼" thick
2 bell peppers, sliced ¼" thick
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon sugar

Optional Accompaniments For Serving

Sour cream
Guacamole, store bought or homemade
Salsa, store bought or homemade
Shredded cheese
Chopped cilantro

Instructions

(Skip this step if using chicken tenderloins.) One at a time, place the chicken breasts in a sealable plastic bag and, using a meat mallet, pound to an even ½-inch thickness.
Open a 1 gallon zip-lock bag and place in a medium bowl. Add the oil, garlic, lime zest, cumin, oregano, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika and salt into the bag. Mash the outside of the bag with your hands to blend the marinade together. Add the tenderloins or pounded chicken breasts and seal shut, releasing any air in the bag. Using your hands, massage the marinade into meat until evenly coated. Place the bag back in the bowl and place in the refrigerator (the bowl protects against leakage); let the chicken marinate at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
Clean the grill and preheat to high.
While the grill heats, cook the peppers. Heat the oil in a large skillet (preferably not non-stick) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, peppers, salt, and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to brown and a brown film forms around edges of the bottom of the pan, 8 to 10 minutes. Add ¼ cup of water to the pan; scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. Continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes, until the water is evaporated and the pan starts to brown again; add ¼ cup more water and cook a few minutes more, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Season to taste with more salt and sugar if necessary. Set aside.
Oil the grates on the grill. Grill the chicken, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not overcook. Let the chicken cool slightly, then transfer to a cutting board and cut into ½-inch strips.
Arrange the chicken and peppers on a serving platter. To warm the tortillas: stack 4-6 tortillas on a plate and cover them with a damp paper towel, then microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Serve with the chicken, peppers and optional accompaniments.
Make-Ahead Instructions: The onion and pepper mixture can be made ahead of time and reheated in the microwave.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 fajita (not including optional accompaniments)
Calories: 243
Fat: 11g
Saturated fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Sugar: 3g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Sodium: 567mg
Cholesterol: 36mg