Spicy Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Crema
Sear chicken and peppers in a cast-iron skillet, then top with a creamy avocado crema for a Tex-Mex twist on a classic dish. This tex-mex-inspired grilling ready in about 50 minutes pairs large (sliced) bell peppers, large (sliced) onions, (mashed) avocado for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (cut into 1/2-inch strips) chicken breast
- 2 large (sliced) bell peppers
- 1 large (sliced) onions
- 2 (mashed) avocado
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup (chopped) cilantro
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 (minced) garlic cloves
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook for 5 minutes until browned, then add peppers and onions. Sauté for 8 minutes until tender and slightly charred.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mash avocado with lime juice, cilantro, and 1 tbsp olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Transfer fajitas to a serving dish, top with avocado crema, and garnish with remaining cilantro. Serve warm with warm tortillas.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spicy Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Crema?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large (sliced) bell peppers from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Crema?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spicy Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Crema for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spicy Chicken Fajitas with Avocado Crema?
Tex-Mex grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this spicy are incredible.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
