Chicken With Peppers And Onions
on Jul 05, 2022, Updated Oct 24, 2023
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A tasty Mexican dish, chicken with peppers and onions, is a quick and easy recipe that is loaded with flavor. This juicy chicken with seasoned vegetables makes for the perfect fajitas. Just load warm tortillas with this filling and top with guacamole and a fresh drop of lime!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- chicken breasts
- bell peppers
- onion
- lime
- olive oil
- cumin powder
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- paprika
- cayenne
- salt
- tortillas
- fresh cilantro
How to Make Chicken With Peppers And Onions
- Stir the cumin, chili powder, garlic, paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl and set aside.
- On a work surface, slice chicken lengthwise horizontally into strips about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Then cut into the strips, against the grain. (Pro tip: Freeze the meat for 30 minutes to make it easier to slice.)
- Add the seasoning mix to a medium bowl with 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir. Place the chicken strips in the bowl and toss them to coat on all sides. Leave them in the marinade for at least 4 hours to enhance the flavor.
- Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan or a cast-iron pan over medium to high heat. When hot, add the oil and half of the chicken. Cook the meat for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining strips of chicken. Place cooked meat on a dish and cover it with aluminum foil.
- Use a moist cloth to wipe the pan and add a fresh tablespoon of oil along with the bell peppers and onions. Sauté them for about two minutes.
- Place the chicken back into the pan and cook together with the vegetables. Splash with freshly-squeezed lime juice and sprinkle cilantro on top. Serve with warm tortilla bread.
Can You Meal Prep Chicken With Peppers And Onions?
This recipe is great for meal prep. The chicken and the sautéed veggies keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. Just reheat before eating and serve with tortillas or salad.
Can You Cook Raw Chicken And Peppers Together?
Yes, you can cook both together but be sure the chicken is fully cooked before eating anything from the pan. To prevent the vegetables from getting too soft, you can also toss them into the pan halfway through the cooking process instead.
Do You Cook Chicken Or Vegetables First?
Because the meat takes longer to cook, you can start with that first. When it is about halfway cooked, you can throw in the peppers and onions so they become tender but not overly soft.
How Do You Season Chicken To Make It Taste Good?
Use strong flavors like lemon zest, hot peppers, fresh herbs and spices, and olive oil for a rich, intense flavor.
Chicken With Peppers And Onions Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 3 bell peppers, red, orange, yellow or green ( thinly sliced)
- 1 medium onion, (thinly sliced)
- 1 lime
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
For the Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or fresh minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, optional
- Salt, to taste
Serving (optional)
- 8-10 to rtillas, flour or corn, 8-inch
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Stir the cumin, chili powder, garlic, paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl and set aside.
- On a work surface, slice chicken lengthwise horizontally into strips about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Then cut into the strips, against the grain. (Pro tip: Freeze the meat for 30 minutes to make it easier to slice.)
- Add the seasoning mix to a medium bowl with 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir. Place the chicken strips in the bowl and toss them to coat on all sides. Leave them in the marinade for at least 4 hours to enhance the flavor.
- Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan or a cast-iron pan over medium to high heat. When hot, add the oil and half of the chicken. Cook the meat for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining strips of chicken. Place cooked meat on a dish and cover it with aluminum foil.
- Use a moist cloth to wipe the pan and add a fresh tablespoon of oil along with the bell peppers and onions. Sauté them for about two minutes.
- Place the chicken back into the pan and cook together with the vegetables. Splash with freshly-squeezed lime juice and sprinkle cilantro on top. Serve with warm tortilla bread.
Notes
- Fajita Seasoning: You can use the above recipe for seasoning as a substitute for store-bought fajita seasoning mix.
- Make Ahead: You can save time by cutting up the chicken and vegetables one day in advance and storing them in a plastic bag in the fridge so they’re ready to cook.
- Tortillas warm up nicely in a hot skillet. Heat them for 20 to 30 seconds on each side.
- You can also microwave them in small stacks of no more than 5 tortillas at a time or place them in the oven at 300°F. Tip: To preserve the heat, store warmed tortillas in a damp towel or wrap them in aluminum foil.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
