Thursday, May 5, 2011

Simple and Delicious Chicken Fajitas



Happy Cinco de Mayo! I couldn't let the day pass without sharing one of my favorite Tex-Mex dishes to prepare at home. Although, from what I've read, Cinco de Mayo is likely celebrated more widely here in the states than in Mexico - sort of like St. Patrick's Day being more popular here than in Ireland! Nonetheless, it's a wonderful way to recognize the food and culture of Mexico.

I'm sure my recipe is far from authentic but it does rival the chicken fajitas that we order at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. Perhaps theirs aren't authentic either!

This recipe came to me by way of a very good friend years ago. Hot chicken fajitas on a warm tortilla with a dab of guacamole and sour cream - oh my!

When I first requested and received the recipe from my friend, I couldn't believe it included soy sauce. Soy sauce in a Tex-Mex dish - you've got to be kidding? But it works!

Cubed, uncooked chicken breast is tossed with equal parts soy sauce, your favorite chunky salsa and canola oil.  The mixture is then spread onto a baking pan and cooked in a high heat oven for about 20 minutes. Caramelized onions and sauteed red and green peppers are given the same soy/salsa/oil treatment and, when the chicken is cooked, they are all tossed together. Voila! Or rather, aquí lo tienes!


When I make quacomole as a condiment for fajitas, I keep it simple.  Fresh Hass avocados mashed with fresh lime juice and a dash of garlic salt.


Barbara's Chicken Fajitas
Printable Recipe

Serves 2-4, depending on appetite

4 large, boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup salsa
1 clove minced garlic

1 red pepper, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1-2 onions, sliced
1 clove mined garlic
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup salsa

1 lime

Preheat oven to 450 (convection setting, if possible)

Toss cubed chicken breast with 1/4 cup soy sauce, canola oil, salsa and minced garlic and place on a large, rimmed baking pan and place in pre-heated oven. Cook for about 20-25 minutes, tossing occasionally.

Meanwhile cook the onions and peppers in a large sauté pan until done (use a very large pan that will accommodate the chicken when it is done). Note - I prefer to caramelize the onions separately from the peppers since I like the onions nicely browned and the peppers crisp/tender. When the vegetables are done, combine them with the additional 1/4 cup of soy, salsa, canola oil and garlic and allow the mixture to simmer for just a few minutes to blend the flavors. Add the cooked chicken to the vegetables in the saucepan, then add the juice of a fresh lime and toss.

Serve on warm tortillas with sour cream, avocado and salsa.

This can easily be made earlier in the day and reheated before serving.

38 comments:

  1. Looks fantastic, Susan! We like our guacamole the same exact way, very simple! I think the soy sauce would have great flavor. I'll be making these very soon!

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  2. the key words here being simple and delicious, this looks delicious. I too like keeping guacamole simple. I'm very hungry as I write this and we are leaving shortly to head over to La Fuente's where our friend is providing the live music in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. But I'm tucking this recipe away for future reference Susan! have a great weekend.

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  3. Susan these look delicious and sound easy to make. That is how I usually make my guacamole. This recipe is a keeper! xo,

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  4. Oh boy, I love soy sauce! They sound great Susan, I think I'll just have Mexican food for the rest of the week! Happy Cinco de Mayo-have fun:@)

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  5. I will take 2 and hold the avocado please. :D
    Enjoy your evening.

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  6. Susan, I know that soy sounds weird in fajitas, but I believe that I have made a recipe similar to these. As always your photos are so pretty. Have a Happy Cinco De Mayo and Mother's Day. Joni

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  7. Looks fabu as usual, Susan. And that opening pic is crazy good!!!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  8. Looks delicious, Susan! I like to carmelize the onions first too, better flavor.
    I know no one who celebrates Cinco de Mayo, except in blogland. We celebrate everything!

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  9. Happy Cinco de Mayo! I think the addition of soy sauce must really add even more zip to the delicious combinations of flavors.
    I made pizza tonight so I am totally out of sync with the date ..lol

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  10. I agree with the other commentors... the soy sauce make this sound extra special!

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  11. Looks fabulous. I like the avocado served simple like you did.......I will have to try that next time. Happy Mother's Day:)

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  12. This is one I'm definitely going to try, Susan! Fast, simple & yummy!
    Thanks for sharing your friend's recipe & thanks too, for making it printable. I've got to learn how to do that!

    Happy Mothers' Day!!!
    fondly,
    Rett

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  13. Is this what is known as Fusion cooking? Soy sauce? I'm going to have to give these a try. My family LOVES fajitas!
    Thanks for the great recipe.
    Yvonne

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  14. Love fajitas and you just have toserve them with guacamole. I surely will add a bit of soya sauce next time; they look so good..

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  15. ciao Susan che invitante!!!!!!!!!!sempre bravissima!!!buon week end!!ciao!

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  16. Authentic or not it sure looks delicious and a grerat way to celebrate!

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  17. This is a lovely meal! Soy sauce always goes well with chicken!
    Happy Mother's Day, Susan!

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  18. On such a pretty dish too..I find soya sauce works so well in so many things..These look wonderful..Happy Mother's Day and Nana's day dear Susan~

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  19. Looks fab Sausan! Have a great weekend!

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  20. Looks just scrumptious, Susan. I love this kind of fresh, easy to put together meal. The sour cream and guac are frosting on the cake.

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  21. Simple and delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Susan.

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  22. I absolutely love fajitas! They totally bring me back to my childhood and make me so, so happy :) Guacamole, too!

    Sues

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  23. We are hosting a linky party with the theme this week of "MEXICAN DISHES" at THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS and would love for you to link up your wonderful recipe! (linky closes Monday.. hope to see you there)

    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-weeks-cravings-27-mexican-dishes.html

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  24. This looks amazing! I'll be trying it out.

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  25. Looks luscious! Have a wonderful weekend!

    Lori

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  26. Soy sauce in Tex Mex does sound kind of odd...but given that TexMex is fusion food to begin with...I say do what works! These fajitas look delicious!

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  27. Looks fantastic, Susan! I eat avocados for fiber, and love guacamole. The soy sauce got my attention, and will try it.

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  28. YUM!! The fajitas look fabulous. Gotta try the soy sauce thing and the guacamole is just perfect... very simply prepared with the avocados the "star" ingredient...LOVE guacamole! Have a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day.
    Babs

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  29. Thank you all! This is one dish where my husband actually doesn't mind eating red and green peppers which makes me happy too :)

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  30. I love tex-mex food and these fajitas sound smashing! Love the simple guacamole too!

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  31. Great fajitas Susan. It looks delicious and the sauce on the side is something out of this world. I know hubby would love it,

    Have a great weekend.

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  32. Looks great - perfect meal, like your simple guacamole

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  33. these look tasty and sound easy to make Susan! I'll try...A warm hug...

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  34. Sounds delish. I like making chicken fajitas from time to time too. Yours sound great. I might have to try the soy sauce in mine next time. I use two semi odd ingredient too - worcestershire and a tiny bit of brown sugar.

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  35. I would just add a little worstershire to the guacamole, BAM!

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    Replies
    1. Great idea! You reminded me I need to make these again soon?

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  36. I’m making these on Thursday!

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