Sizzling Chicken Fajitas: Perfect Bbq Timing

Chicken fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish that can be made on the grill or in a skillet. The chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of spices, such as chili powder, cumin, and paprika, along with lime and garlic, to add flavour and tenderise the meat. The chicken is then cooked until it is no longer pink in the centre and the juices run clear, which usually takes around 15 minutes. The fajitas can be served with various accompaniments such as guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and shredded cheese.

Chicken Fajita Marinade

A good chicken fajita marinade is key to achieving that perfect blend of flavours and textures in your fajita dish. The chicken should be allowed to soak in the marinade for a minimum of 15 minutes, and up to 24 hours. This will ensure the meat is tender and absorbs all the delicious flavours.

Ingredients

You can use a variety of ingredients to make your marinade, but a simple blend of olive oil or vegetable oil lime juice, and spices is a great place to start. Here is a list of ingredients you can use:

• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• Lime juice
• Minced garlic or garlic powder
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Sugar
• Cayenne pepper
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Cilantro

Instructions

• Whisk together all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl until well combined.
• Place your chicken strips into a large resealable plastic bag.
• Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken. Knead the bag to ensure the chicken is well coated.
• Squeeze out any excess air and seal the bag.
• Place the bag in the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 24 hours for best results.
• When you're ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the excess marinade.
• Cook your chicken as desired, along with peppers and onions for a delicious fajita filling!

Tips:

• Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavour.
• If using a mild chili powder, add 2 tablespoons. If your chili powder is spicier, you may want to reduce the amount to 1 tablespoon.
• Smoked paprika adds a great flavour and can be found in most grocery stores.
• This marinade can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• You can also use this marinade for other proteins such as shrimp, flank steak, or pork tenderloin.

Chicken Fajita Seasoning Blend

Chicken fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish, and making your own fajita seasoning blend is a great way to add a unique flavour to this dish. You can make a large batch and store it in an airtight container for up to six months. Here is a recipe for a chicken fajita seasoning blend, along with some tips and variations.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons of chilli powder
• 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons of paprika (you can use sweet or smoked paprika)
• 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• Cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
• Salt to taste (optional)

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Store the blend in an airtight container. This recipe makes about 1/4 cup of seasoning, which is enough for 4 pounds of chicken.

Using the Seasoning Blend

To make chicken fajitas, add 2 pounds of chicken (breasts or thighs), 1/4 cup of minced cilantro, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of the fajita seasoning to a plastic bag. Mash the contents until the chicken is evenly coated. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until crispy and browned on both sides, about 8 to 10 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting it into strips.

In the same skillet, add 3 sliced bell peppers and 1 sliced red onion. Cook the vegetables until they are tender, about 5 minutes. Finally, add the sliced chicken back to the skillet and serve with warm tortillas, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and any other desired toppings.

Tips and Variations

• You can use a spice grinder to grind the spices for a fresher flavour.
• If you prefer spicier food, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add more chilli powder.
• This seasoning blend can also be used as a dry rub or marinade for other types of meat, such as beef or shrimp.
• For a healthier option, you can omit the sugar from the blend.
• You can also add other ingredients to the blend, such as dried oregano or ground coriander.

Grilling Methods

There are several ways to grill chicken fajitas, depending on your choice of grill and cut of meat. Here are some methods to help you achieve the perfect grilled chicken fajitas:

Direct Heat vs. Indirect Heat

When grilling chicken fajitas, you can use either direct heat or indirect heat. Direct heat involves having all the burners on a gas grill lit, or spreading charcoal out evenly across the bottom of a charcoal grill. This method cooks the food directly over the heat source.

Indirect heat, on the other hand, uses a different setup. For a gas grill, you can use the 2-zone setup, where only half the grill is lit, or leave the sides lit while keeping the centre off or at the lowest temperature. For a charcoal grill, place the charcoal on one side, creating a space in the centre for the food to cook without being directly over the coals. This method is useful for avoiding flare-ups, as you can place a drip pan under the meat.

Gas Grill vs. Charcoal Grill

The type of grill you use will also impact the grilling method and timing.

#### Bone-In Thighs

For bone-in thighs, if you're using a gas grill, grill the chicken for 10 minutes on direct heat, skin-down, then for 10-12 minutes on each side with the lid on and on indirect heat. On a charcoal grill, grill for 10 minutes on direct heat, skin-down, followed by 8-10 minutes on indirect heat on each side.

#### Boneless Thighs

For boneless thighs, grill for around 5-6 minutes on each side, regardless of the type of grill.

#### Breasts

For chicken breasts, cut into horizontal strips if using large cuts. Grill for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Marinating the Chicken

Before grilling, it's essential to marinate the chicken to infuse it with flavour and moisture. Here's a simple marinade recipe:

• Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, and fajita seasoning in a bowl.
• Pour the mixture into a resealable plastic bag.
• Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well-coated with the marinade.
• Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but no more than 24 hours, as longer marination may break down the meat.

Grilling the Chicken and Vegetables

Once the chicken is marinated, you can start grilling. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your grill to medium heat.
• Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
• Add the vegetables (bell peppers and onions) to the grill and cook until tender-crisp.
• Remove the chicken and vegetables from the grill.
• Cut the chicken and vegetables into strips.
• Warm your tortillas according to the package instructions.
• Serve the chicken and vegetables in the warm tortillas with your choice of toppings.

Chicken Fajita Toppings

Chicken fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish, and the toppings you choose can make or break the meal. The options are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started.

Creamy Toppings

Add some creaminess to your fajitas with toppings like cheese, sour cream, guacamole, or avocado. For cheese, you can go with the classic shredded Monterey Jack, or mix things up with cheddar, pepper jack, queso Oaxaca, or queso fresco. If you're feeling extra fancy, make your own queso by melting cheddar cheese with tomatoes and spices. For a healthier option, try plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Fresh Toppings

Add a fresh crunch to your fajitas with lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, radishes, or cilantro. If you're feeling adventurous, try something different like corn salsa or pineapple salsa. You can also grill some vegetables like courgette (zucchini) or mushrooms to go with your fajitas.

Spicy Toppings

Give your fajitas a kick with spicy toppings like salsa, jalapenos, or pico de gallo. If you're making your own salsa, try adding some tomatillos for zing or pineapple and serrano pepper for sweetness.

Flavorful Toppings

Boost the flavor of your fajitas with toppings like olives, green onions, or lime wedges. You can also try something different like pickled red onions or creamy chipotle sauce. If you're a fan of spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your fajita seasoning.

Other Toppings

Fajitas are typically served with warm flour tortillas, but you can also use corn tortillas or lettuce wraps for a lighter option. If you're looking for something more substantial, serve your fajitas with a side of rice or beans.

Chicken Fajita Accompaniments

Chicken fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish, and there are endless options for accompaniments and side dishes to serve alongside them. Here are some ideas to elevate your fajita feast:

Classic Accompaniments

The traditional accompaniments to fajitas are warm flour tortillas and various toppings like guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, and lettuce. You can also add extra spice and flavour with jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime.

Rice

Rice is a staple in Mexican cuisine and pairs perfectly with fajitas. There are several varieties to try:

• Mexican rice, flavoured with chipotle, lime, and coriander
• Black beans and rice, with green bell peppers, lime, cilantro, and cumin
• Spanish rice, with tomatoes, green bell peppers, onions, chili powder, and green chiles
• Lime and coriander rice

Beans

Beans are another classic Mexican side dish, and they can be served in several ways:

• Black beans, with rice
• Refried beans, with cheese, onion, cumin, and jalapeño
• Avocado and black bean dip
• Mexican bean salad

Salads

A fresh salad can be a great way to balance out the heaviness of fajitas:

• Corn salad with tomatoes and cilantro
• Caesar salad with shrimp
• Chopped salad with a cilantro-lime vinaigrette
• Avocado, cucumber, and tomato salad
• Mexican slaw with carrots, red onions, cabbage, cilantro, and apple cider vinegar

Corn

Corn is a must-have at any Mexican party:

• Mexican street corn (elote) is a famous street snack, with corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, and cotija cheese, then grilled
• Corn salad with tomatoes and cilantro
• Cilantro tomato corn salad

Other Sides

There are plenty of other side dishes to choose from:

• Roasted potatoes with taco seasoning, avocados, sour cream, chili powder, and cheese
• Chorizo con papas (Mexican chorizo and potatoes)
• Grilled peppers stuffed with cheese
• Chips and salsa
• Nachos with chilli beef, guacamole, sour cream, and chipotle salsa

Frequently asked questions