Smoky Cumin Chicken Fajitas with Zesty Orange Marinade
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of my Smoky Cumin Chicken Fajitas, perfectly infused with a zesty orange marinade that brings a delightful depth to the dish. The combination of cumin and orange juice not only enhances the dish’s smokiness but adds a light citrus twist making each bite burst with flavor. This easy one-dish meal is cooked to tender perfection, stir-fried with crunchy green peppers and onions, making it not only delicious but also colorful. Serve these fajitas with warm tortillas, fresh lettuce, rich salsa, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy sour cream for a satisfying family dinner or a fun gathering with friends. For a twist, try using pork or beef instead of chicken for a different taste experience. Enjoy this quick and wholesome meal any night of the week!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb (sliced into strips)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
oregano
1 teaspoon (crumbled)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon
seasoning salt
1 teaspoon
orange juice
2 tablespoons
vinegar
2 tablespoons
hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon (I used Frank's Red Hot.)
cooking oil
1 tablespoon
onion
1 medium (peeled and sliced)
green pepper
1 (seeded and sliced)
Instructions
1
Begin by slicing the boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin strips to ensure even cooking.
2
In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, crumbled oregano, ground cumin, seasoning salt, orange juice, vinegar, and hot pepper sauce. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
3
Add the chicken strips to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 10 minutes, so the flavors can penetrate the meat.
4
While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables by slicing the onion and green pepper into similarly sized strips.
5
Heat cooking oil in a heavy skillet or on a griddle over medium-high heat until hot, which will help in achieving a nice sear on the meat.
6
Add the marinated chicken strips to the skillet and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until browned. Then toss in the sliced onion and green pepper, continuing to stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
7
Once cooked, remove from heat and serve the chicken fajitas with your choice of toppings like warm tortillas, fresh lettuce, salsa, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, or nestle them on a bed of greens for a lighter option.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in these Smoky Cumin Chicken Fajitas?
The main protein used is 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast sliced into thin strips.
What ingredients make up the zesty orange marinade?
The marinade consists of minced garlic, crumbled oregano, ground cumin, seasoning salt, orange juice, vinegar, and hot pepper sauce.
How long should the chicken marinate for best results?
The chicken should marinate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
What vegetables are included in this fajita recipe?
This recipe uses one medium onion (peeled and sliced) and one green pepper (seeded and sliced).
Can I substitute the chicken with other meats?
Yes, for a different taste experience, you can try using pork or beef instead of chicken.
What is the recommended cooking method?
The dish is prepared by stir-frying the marinated chicken and vegetables in a heavy skillet or on a griddle over medium-high heat.
How long does it take to cook the chicken in the skillet?
The chicken strips should be stir-fried for about 2-3 minutes until browned before adding the vegetables.
How long should the vegetables be stir-fried?
After adding the onions and peppers, stir-fry for an additional 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
What kind of hot pepper sauce is recommended?
The recipe notes suggest using Frank's Red Hot sauce.
What are some suggested toppings for these fajitas?
Suggested toppings include warm tortillas, fresh lettuce, salsa, cheddar cheese, and creamy sour cream.
Is there a low-carb way to serve this dish?
Yes, you can serve the chicken and vegetable mixture on a bed of greens for a lighter option instead of using tortillas.
What makes the chicken smoky in this recipe?
The combination of ground cumin and the high-heat searing process in the skillet provides the smoky flavor.
How much orange juice is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of orange juice.
How much vinegar is used in the marinade?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of oil should be used for stir-frying?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.
What amount of ground cumin is needed?
You should use 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
How much oregano is used?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of crumbled oregano.
How much seasoning salt is added?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of seasoning salt.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is described as an easy one-dish meal that is quick and wholesome for any night of the week.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be peeled and sliced into strips similarly sized to the chicken.
How should the green pepper be prepared?
The green pepper should be seeded and sliced into strips.
What is the total number of ingredients listed?
The recipe has an ingredient count of 11 items.
What type of skillet is best for cooking fajitas?
A heavy skillet or a griddle is recommended to achieve a nice sear on the meat.
Should the heat be high or low when cooking?
Medium-high heat is recommended to ensure the meat sears properly and the vegetables stay crisp.
Why is the chicken sliced into thin strips?
Slicing the chicken into thin strips ensures even and rapid cooking during the stir-fry process.
What is the texture of the vegetables once cooked?
The vegetables should be cooked until they are 'tender-crisp,' meaning they are cooked through but still have a slight crunch.
Can this meal be served for a party?
Yes, it is noted as being perfect for a satisfying family dinner or a fun gathering with friends.
Is orange juice essential to the flavor profile?
Yes, the orange juice adds a light citrus twist that enhances the smokiness of the cumin.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is slicing the boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin strips.