The Ultimate Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas Recipe: Sizzling Magic

Smoky chicken and pepper fajitas emerge as a culinary adventure waiting to tantalize your taste buds.

Bold spices dance through tender meat, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with excitement.

Mexican-inspired cooking reaches new heights with this combination of vibrant ingredients and dynamic flavors.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building complex layers of deliciousness that elevate an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

The harmony between smoky seasonings and fresh components creates a balanced dish that feels both comforting and innovative.

Bright peppers and succulent chicken come together in a celebration of texture and taste.

Your dinner table will buzz with anticipation of this flavor-packed feast.

Why You’ll Love Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas

• Spice Up Your Meal: Perfectly balanced blend of paprika, chili powder, cumin, and oregano creates an explosive flavor profile that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering feast.
• Quick and Convenient Cooking: One-skillet method allows for fast preparation in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gathering with friends.
• Texture Sensation: Tender seared chicken combined with soft, caramelized peppers and onions delivers a delightful contrast of crispy edges and succulent interior that keeps every bite interesting.
• Customizable Comfort: Versatile recipe allows easy modifications with extra jalapeños for heat lovers or cream cheese sauce adjustment for different taste preferences, ensuring everyone enjoys their personal fajita experience.

What You Need for Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the fajitas, best when fresh and boneless.
• Salsa Verde: Tangy green sauce that adds complexity and moisture to the dish.

• Paprika, Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano: Robust spice blend creating deep, smoky flavor profile for the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste and balance.
• Chili Flakes: Provides subtle heat and additional flavor complexity.
• Jalapeños: Optional spicy ingredient for extra heat and zesty kick.

• Olive Oil: Provides healthy cooking medium with subtle flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps develop golden browning on chicken.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that deepens savory notes.
• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, creamy sauce base with rich texture.

• Onions: Provides sweet, caramelized undertones when cooked.
• Bell Peppers, Poblano Peppers: Colorful vegetables adding freshness and varied texture.

• Tortillas: Traditional wrap for holding the fajita filling.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb for bright, final garnish.
• Cheese: Optional topping for additional richness.

How to Make Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas at Home

Step 1: Prepare Spiced Chicken

Heat a large skillet with olive oil. Add chicken and sprinkle with paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure even coating of spices.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Perfection

• Butter
• Garlic
• Chili flakes

Stir and blend into the chicken mixture.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Remove chicken from skillet. In the same pan, cook onions until fragrant. Add bell peppers and poblano peppers. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables become tender.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Vegetables

Return cooked chicken to the skillet with vegetables. Toss everything together to blend flavors completely.

Step 5: Create Creamy Verde Sauce

In a separate pan, melt cream cheese with salsa verde over low heat. Whisk continuously until sauce becomes smooth. Optional: Stir in chopped jalapeños for extra heat.

Step 6: Assemble Fajitas

• Fresh cilantro
• Shredded cheese

Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful fajitas!

Pro Tips for Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas

• Sear Perfectly: Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in maximum flavor.
• Spice Balance: Adjust spice levels by controlling the amount of chili powder and flakes to match your heat preference.
• Vegetable Crunch: Don't overcook bell peppers and poblanos; keep them slightly crisp for a wonderful texture contrast.
• Flavor Layering: Toast spices briefly in the pan before adding chicken to intensify their aromatic qualities.
• Sauce Smoothness: Whisk cream cheese and salsa verde slowly over low heat to prevent lumps and create a silky-smooth sauce.

How to Store and Reheat Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas

• Storing Leftovers
• Refrigerate your fajita mixture within two hours of cooking in an airtight container for maximum freshness. Separate the chicken-pepper mixture and sauce into different containers to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy ingredients. Your delicious leftovers will stay good for 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator.
• Reheating Method
• Revive your fajitas by gently warming them in a skillet over medium heat to restore their original sizzling flavor and prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help retain moisture while reheating. Alternatively, use the microwave with a damp paper towel covering the dish, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

Great Pairings for Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas

• Spice Up Your Sips: Pair these smoky fajitas with a crisp Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or a zesty margarita that complements the dish's bold spices and cuts through the rich, creamy sauce.
• Cool Down the Heat: Serve with a refreshing cucumber-mint agua fresca or a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance the spicy chili and poblano peppers in the dish.
• Creamy Companion Sides: Accompany the fajitas with Mexican street corn (elote) or a tangy cilantro-lime rice that echoes the verde sauce's bright flavors and provides a perfect textural contrast.
• Fresh Finish: Top with extra fresh cilantro and a dollop of cool sour cream or Greek yogurt to neutralize the dish's spiciness and add a creamy, refreshing element to each bite.

Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajita Variations with a Twist

• Spicy Southwest Remix: Replace poblano peppers with roasted green chiles for an intense southwestern flavor profile that brings more heat and complexity to the dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap out chili powder and cumin with oregano, thyme, and za'atar spice blend for a Mediterranean-inspired chicken fajita experience with lighter, brighter notes.
• Citrus Zest Celebration: Add fresh orange and lime zest to the chicken marinade, incorporating orange juice into the cream cheese sauce for a tangy, bright version that elevates the traditional recipe with refreshing citrus undertones.
• Veggie Power Option: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using similar spice blend and cooking technique to create a protein-packed vegetarian alternative that maintains the original recipe's robust flavor profile.

Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Smoky Chicken and Pepper Fajitas bring Mexican-inspired sizzle to weeknight dinner tables with minimal effort. Spicy marinated chicken strips mingle with charred peppers, creating a flavor-packed meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 poblano pepper, sliced

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons chili powder or tajin
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
• Chili flakes

Accompaniments and Sauce:

• 8 to 10 tortillas, warmed
• Cotija cheese (for serving)
• Limes (for serving)
• Cilantro (for serving)

Creamy Jalapeño Verde Sauce:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese at room temperature
• 0.75 cup salsa verde
• 1 to 3 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large skillet by heating it over medium-high heat and adding olive oil (29.5 milliliters or ).
2. Season chicken pieces with paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the spice mixture.
3. Sear the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet, cooking for approximately 8-10 minutes until the exterior turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
4. During the final two minutes of cooking, introduce minced garlic, red chili flakes, and unsalted butter to enhance the chicken’s flavor profile.
5. Transfer the fully cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm while maintaining the skillet’s heat.
6. In the same skillet, sauté sliced onions until they become translucent and develop a slight caramelization.
7. Add julienned bell peppers and diced poblano peppers to the onions, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables are tender yet retain a slight crunch.
8. Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the vegetable mixture, gently tossing to integrate the flavors and ensure even heating.
9. Prepare the verde sauce by melting cream cheese and salsa verde in a separate small saucepan, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
10. Optional: Incorporate finely chopped jalapeños into the sauce for an additional layer of heat and complexity.
11. Warm corn or flour tortillas briefly on a griddle or directly over a gas flame to enhance their texture and flavor.
12. Assemble the fajitas by filling the warm tortillas with the chicken and pepper mixture, drizzling the creamy verde sauce over the top, and garnishing with fresh cilantro and crumbled queso fresco.

Notes

• Elevate your weeknight dinner with this explosive fajita recipe bursting with smoky, spicy flavors and minimal prep time.
• Searing chicken at high heat locks in robust spices, creating a mouthwatering protein base that guarantees maximum taste in every bite.
• Layering butter, garlic, and chili flakes during cooking introduces depth and complexity to the chicken’s initial seasoning profile.
• Quickly caramelizing onions and peppers alongside the chicken ensures perfectly tender vegetables that complement the meat’s rich texture.
• Blending cream cheese with salsa verde creates a luxurious, tangy sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Serving warm tortillas filled with this vibrant mixture guarantees a satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg