Description
Turn ordinary chicken into sizzling, restaurant-quality fajitas with this simple marinade that takes just 5 minutes to whisk together. The blend of fresh lime juice, olive oil, and warm spices creates tender, juicy chicken with bold Mexican flavors everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 2-3 limes)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1-2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced into strips
- 1 1/2 cups sliced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced onions
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, water, sugar, salt, cumin, minced garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, and black pepper until well combined.
2. Add sliced chicken, bell peppers, and onions to the marinade. Toss everything together until every piece gets coated with the flavorful marinade.
3. Cover the bowl or seal in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best flavor. Don’t marinate longer than 8 hours or the chicken will become mushy.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken and vegetables for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken reaches 165°F and vegetables are tender.
Notes
Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best authentic flavor.
Reserve 3 tablespoons of marinade before adding raw chicken, then drizzle over cooked fajitas for extra flavor.
Start with 1 tablespoon chili powder if you’re sensitive to heat.
Pat chicken dry before cooking for the best browning.
Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed.
Chicken thighs work great and stay even juicier than breasts.
The marinade keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week before using.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Marinating
- Cuisine: Mexican