Yay, chicken fajitas! So easy to make, and so quick. The method involves quickly searing the meat on a griddle or grill, and then slicing and serving with quickly seared peppers and onions. And, of course, flour tortillas.
What do you need
1 500 gr skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Salt, to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced lengthwise (root to tip) into 1/4-inch strips
3 pepper bell peppers (various colors), sliced into 1/4-inch strips
For the marinade
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
How to proceed
Cut chicken breast in small pieces.
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a glass or plastic container. Add the chicken, mix well, cover and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours in the fridge.
Wipe off most of the marinade and sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt.
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large cast iron frying pan on high heat for a minute or so.
As soon as the oil begins to smoke, lay the chicken breast pieces in the pan. Depending on the size of the pan, and if you have had to cut the chicken breasts, you may have to work in batches.
Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes, until you have a good sear. Once seared well on one side, turn the pieces over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until well seared on the second side.
Once seared on the second side, remove to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil to rest for 5 minutes.
If you want to test for doneness, cut into one piece with the tip of a sharp knife. It should be just done, if not, you can put it back in the hot pan for a minute or two.
Here's a tip: Stack the seared chicken breasts and then cover them in foil. Together they will retain heat better as you cook the peppers and onions.
While the chicken is resting, cook the onions and peppers. Add another tablespoon of oil to the frying pan. Heat on high. As soon as the oil is hot, add the onions and peppers to the pan.
Use a metal spatula to scrape up some of the browned bits from the chicken and stir to coat the onions and peppers with the oil and brown bits. Spread the onions and peppers in an even layer in the pan.
Let them cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. You want them to sear with some blackening. Stir the vegetables and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.
Slice the chicken across the grain into strips. Serve at once with the peppers and onions and some warm tortillas.
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