Chicken Fajitas are a great weeknight dinner option. Prep ahead by making the homemade fajita marinade ahead of time. When it comes time to cook, this meal cooks up in 30 minutes or less. Pair with some soft homemade flour tortillas and some authentic guacamole for a classic Tex Mex meal. This is a healthy dinner idea that the entire family will love!
Why These are the BEST Fajitas:
- This homemade fajita marinade uses a combination of pineapple and fresh lime juice. Both of these juices tenderize the meat, and give us great fresh flavorings.
- We will save some of the marinade to grill the vegetables in to give us even more flavor!
- Cooking the chicken to the correct internal temperature, giving it rest, and slicing against the grain gives us tender and juicy chicken.
- Serving with fresh homemade flour tortillas takes these chicken fajitas to the next level.
- Quick and easy: the marinade can be made ahead of time and the chicken can marinate throughout the day. Then when it’s time to cook all that’s needed is 30 minutes!
Ingredients Needed:
Ingredients Needed for Fajita Marinade:
Notes on Some Ingredients:
- Chicken: use skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Plan on 1/4 to 1/2 pound of chicken per person for serving size.
- Bell Peppers: use a variety of colors to create a beautiful dish.
- Pineapple Juice: use canned 100% pineapple juice.
- Lime Juice: use freshly squeezed juice.
How To Make:
- Step 1: Prepare the marinade by combining the ingredients together and pouring over cleaned chicken either in a large dish or a large sealable plastic bag. Let this marinate for at least 3 hours.
- Step 2: Grill the chicken, this can be done in a skillet or on the grill. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove to a cutting board or plate and let rest while the vegetables cook.
Serene’s Tip: pound the chicken to a uniform thickness, this helps your chicken cook evenly.
- Step 3: Prepare the vegetables by de-seeding and thinly slicing the bell peppers. Slice the white onion and combine the two together. Grill the vegetables with the marinade that was set aside, this amps up the flavor of the entire dish.
- Step 4: After the chicken has rested, slice and add it back into the skillet with the vegetables to serve everything up hot and sizzling.
Serene’s Tip: Don’t let the meat marinate overnight. Due to the pineapple and lime juices in the marinade, the chicken will break down overnight and have a mushy texture when cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Some of the best side dishes to serve alongside fajitas are: grilled corn, roasted corn salad, homemade refried beans, charro beans, or cilantro rice.
Cheese, salsa, avocado, sour cream, and guacamole are all popular toppings.
Cut the chicken against the grain after a resting period. This gives tender, juicy slices chicken.
Expert Tips:
- Temperature: Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉, testing the temperature with an instant read thermometer is the easiest way to ensure your chicken is completely cooked through.
- Meal Prep: this is a great make-ahead dish that can be served up all week long. The chicken and veggies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a sealed container. That makes this a perfect meal prep idea!
More Classic Tex Mex Meals:
- Instead of chicken you can try out this Classic Steak Fajitas recipe.
- These Shrimp Tacos are loaded with spices and topped with a creamy cilantro lime sauce.
- Chicken Enchiladas are the perfect family meal, plus they’re made with a homemade enchilada sauce.
- Mexican Picadillo is the ultimate in comfort food, a savory stew made with ground beef and potatoes.
If you tried this recipe please leave a comment and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below! Thank you so much!
Photography done by the talented @KJandCompany.co