Description
Chicken Fajita Bowls are a quick and flavorful meal combining tender spiced chicken strips, sautéed bell peppers and onions, served over a bed of rice with black beans and optional toppings like cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro. This colorful dish delivers a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and savory flavors in just 25 minutes, ideal for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
Spices and Oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Base and Toppings
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
- 1/4 cup guacamole (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook them until they are browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with the sliced onion. Cook them while stirring occasionally until they soften and become slightly caramelized, which should take around 5 to 6 minutes.
- Season the vegetables: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to ensure even coating of the spices on the vegetables.
- Combine chicken and vegetables: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet with the spiced vegetables. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through uniformly.
- Assemble the bowls: Place a serving of cooked rice in each bowl as the base. Top the rice with the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly.
- Add toppings: Layer each bowl with black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro according to your preference.
- Serve: Provide lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the fajita bowl for a fresh, zesty finish before eating.
Notes
- You can use any variety of rice you prefer, including white, brown, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Adjust the spice levels by adding extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like it hotter.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheddar cheese and sour cream or replace with plant-based alternatives.
- These bowls are great for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add extra vegetables like corn or zucchini to increase the nutritional value and variety.
