Family Friendly Fridays: Chicken Fajitas
Having resided in Dallas, Texas for six years before moving to North Carolina, I can most definitely appreciate great TexMex fare. With so many enticing options to grab a pleasing plate of authentic grub right at your fingertips, it’s hard to know where to go first. I definitely have my favorites: Mi Cocina (Margarita anyone?), Via Real (their chicken Monterey is UNREAL) and Blue Mesa Grill ( Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips. Enough said.) to name a few. But if a sizzling fresh plate of fajitas is what you crave, then Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth is your place. Best darn fajitas I’ve every put my mouth to. Period. Let me break it down and show what I mean. The dinner menu is a total of three items. Chicken Fajitas, beef fajitas, and a family sized dinner with enchiladas, tacos, and cheese nachos. That’s it. You better believe they do ‘em right.
Missing these beauties the way I do, I had to try and recreate my own “go-to” fajita platter. Joe T’s is a pretty big commute these days and we’re not planning to move back anytime soon. I’m sure my version doesn’t do the original justice, but it still fills that ever present craving I always seem to have for a pepper and onion loaded, guacamole topped, cheese and salsa filled, flippin’ delicious chicken fajita. Oh, and remember that salsa verde we whipped up a couple days ago? Throw a spoonful or two on these beauties and watch them sing.
To cook your way to Tex Mex bliss you’ll need to get started by slicing up your chicken into 1/4″ strips.
And while we’re at it, let me just say that by no means should you feel confined to just chicken. If you prefer steak or shrimp, go for it.
Mix up a slew of taste tantalizing southwest flavors and drop your chicken in for a little one-on-one time. The longer the better.
When you’re ready to cook up a meal fit for a gringa, you simply bring out your chicken, drop the slices onto a heated up grill and cook ‘em until done.
And let me just say that it was fourty degrees and raining the day we made these. You couldn’t have dragged me kicking and screaming to the outdoor grill so I took the liberty of using my indoor grill.
You see all that extra marinade left there in the bag? Grab a couple tablespoons and heat it up in a pan. Use that liquid goodness to cook up your onions and peppers. Recycling has never felt quite this delicious.
A little guacamole, some sour cream, a handful of lettuce and cheese, and some salsa verde.
Bring on the TexMex.
Chicken Fajitas
Total Time: 1 Hour 30 Min
Ingredients:
1 Pound Chicken, Sliced in 1/4" Thick Strips
3 Fresh Peppers, Sliced into Strips
1 Small Onion, Sliced into Strips
1 Lime, Juiced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Coriander
1 tsp Vinegar
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
1/8 tsp Cayenne
1/8 tsp Paprika
1/8 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Tequila (Optional)Directions:
Combine the lime juice, oil, honey, cumin, coriander, vinegar, garlic, cilantro, onion powder, cayenne, paprika, pepper, salt, and tequila into a bag or bowl.
Add the chicken strips and combine. Let sit in the fridge for at least one hour to marinate.
Heat up the grill and cook the chicken strips until no pink remains, flipping once.
While the chicken is cooking, grab a tablespoon or two of the leftover marinade, place it in your pan and heat it up on medium heat.
Add in the peppers and onions and let them cook for 2 to 3 minutes until crisp tender.
Place spoonfuls of chicken and peppers in warmed tortilla and add desired condiments.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking — April 1, 2011 @ 7:11 am
Yum, Tex-Mex is one of my favorite cuisines. These look colorful and tasty!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum — April 1, 2011 @ 7:15 am
I love fajitas + obscene amounts of guac + fresh salsa verde!
When I eat at Chipotle I always order the fajita vegetable bowl because you get fajita veggies loaded with guac! It’s hard to beat the flavors of Tex Mex.
Beth — April 1, 2011 @ 7:36 am
I’m bookmarking this one. It looks great!
Katerina — April 1, 2011 @ 8:22 am
You are destrying me Julie. Today my meal consists of pasta with yogurt and you present this? How can I resist? How can I return to my dietary pasta and yogurt? This is divine!
Jenna — April 1, 2011 @ 10:51 am
I love the picture with all the bell peppers in the pan. Seeing all that color on a plate makes it even more appetizing!
SnoWhite @ Finding Joy in My Kitchen — April 1, 2011 @ 11:15 am
Beautiful and tasty looking dish!!
Mari's Cakes — April 1, 2011 @ 11:46 am
Julie, I think you can open your own restaurant of chicken fajitas!!! They look delicious, so delicious that I want to go cook some right now!
Have a blessed family Friday
Maranda — April 1, 2011 @ 11:49 am
Oh. Em. Gee! I cannot wait to get back to Texas and have some delicious TexMex/Mexican food. Did you ever go to Pappasito’s in Austin or Houston. THE BEST beef fajitas I’ve ever had! I need to make these STAT!
anne — April 1, 2011 @ 11:49 am
I can’t even tell you how good this looks right now!! Delish, anne
Melissa R — April 1, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
YUM YUM : )
Laura in Cancun — April 1, 2011 @ 12:42 pm
Mmmm!! I love me some bell peppers
Julie — April 1, 2011 @ 3:05 pm
You’ve inspired dinner tonight! thanks!!
malia — April 1, 2011 @ 3:32 pm
oh boy this is right up my alley… looks SO good! xoxo
Denise @ Creative Kitchen — April 2, 2011 @ 12:13 am
I’m a bit late to the party, but stopped by to share my EASY Black Bean & Sweet Potato Tostadas. Thanks for hosting! Have a GREAT weekend!!
Anna Johnston — April 2, 2011 @ 3:34 am
Love ‘em
I make ones similar, love me a bit of good old Tex Mex I do 
Mandy - The Complete Cook Book — April 2, 2011 @ 3:41 am
Ooh yummy – what great flavours!
Mandy
Monet — April 3, 2011 @ 12:10 am
Julie. These look amazing. Growing up in Houston, chicken fajitas were my ultimate favorite meal. Thank you for sharing with me tonight. After such a difficult week, it has been so refreshing to return to the blogs (and bloggers) that I love. I hope you have a blessed Sunday, sweet girl!
Kakie — April 4, 2011 @ 7:45 pm
The fact that you referenced Joe T. Garcia’s means these must be good! Can’t wait to try this recipe soon.
grace — April 5, 2011 @ 3:13 am
even though my grandmother can’t pronounce the word for the life of her, she loves fajitas, and so do i. tasty work, julie.
OK Chick — April 6, 2011 @ 10:17 am
Gotta love the south- TexMex, butter, milk, and cream cheese. All staples for any Southern Girl!
Sheril Benedict — April 11, 2011 @ 8:43 pm
tasty : ) Great post !!!
Rita — April 12, 2011 @ 9:58 am
This looks fantastic! I make this and we love it but your recipe looks and sounds evem better; keeping this one Julie.
I don’t know what happen, but i keep losing contact with you, so I now will be getting an email with your new posts. Love to come and read you,
Rita
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