Chicken Fajita Bowl Flavor (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and sautéed peppers served over fluffy rice with fresh garnishes for vibrant flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp ground cumin
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1 tsp chili powder
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper
10 - Juice of ½ lime

→ Vegetables

11 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
13 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
14 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Rice

17 - 1¼ cup long-grain rice (white or brown)
18 - 2 cups water or chicken broth
19 - ½ tsp salt

→ Optional Toppings

20 - 1 avocado, sliced
21 - ½ cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
22 - ½ cup salsa or pico de gallo
23 - ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
24 - Fresh cilantro leaves
25 - Lime wedges

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Rinse rice under cold running water. Bring 2 cups water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice and salt, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook white rice for 15–18 minutes or brown rice for 35–40 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - In a bowl, combine chicken strips with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Toss well to coat and let marinate for at least 10 minutes.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly browned, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
04 - In the same skillet, add olive oil. Add bell peppers and red onion. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until vegetables are tender-crisp with slight charring, about 5–7 minutes.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with chicken strips and sautéed vegetables. Add optional toppings such as avocado, cheese, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.
06 - Serve immediately to enjoy the vibrant flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 40 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner without the stress of complicated timing.
  • Everyone customizes their own bowl, so picky eaters and adventurous ones sit happily at the same table.
  • The seasoning blend is smoky and warm without being heavy, perfect for eating something that feels indulgent but leaves you energized.
02 -
  • The chicken will continue cooking slightly after you remove it from the heat, so pull it off the skillet when it still looks just barely done inside—overcooked chicken turns into rubber, and that's a tragedy you won't come back from.
  • If your rice is mushy or your vegetables are soft, you've cooked them slightly too long; next time, start checking 2 minutes earlier than the recipe says because stove temperatures vary wildly.
  • Lime juice at the end is not optional—it's the spark that brings all the flavors into focus and prevents the whole bowl from tasting one-note.
03 -
  • Brown rice takes longer but has a nuttier flavor and keeps you fuller longer—plan accordingly and maybe start it first.
  • Marinating the chicken even 10 minutes longer (up to 30) deepens the flavor without any extra effort, so if you have time, take it.
  • Charring your peppers just slightly in a hot skillet releases natural sugars and adds a subtle smokiness that makes people ask what you did differently.
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