Quick Chicken Fajitas

November 19, 2009|By Linda Gassenheimer, McClatchy Newspapers
  • McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Southwestern fajitas with meat and colorful vegetables make a delicious, light meal. Typically, the meat is marinated overnight and then grilled, but I use a warm marinade and cut the chicken into thin strips to eliminate the wait.

Quick Chicken Fajitas

Makes 2 servings

1/2 cup fajita marinade (in the ethnic or marinade aisle)

3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

4 6-inch tortillas

2 teaspoons canola oil

1/2 cup each: sliced onion; red, yellow, green bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

1 cup diced tomato

1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded

Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring marinade to a boil in a saucepan. Cut chicken in thin strips, about 1/4-inch wide. Remove marinade from heat and add chicken and marinate for 15 minutes.

2. Tightly wrap the tortillas in foil and place in oven for 10 minutes. Remove and leave wrapped in foil.

3. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the chicken and save the marinade. Saute the chicken 30 seconds. Add the onion, peppers and garlic. Saute 1 minute. Add reserved marinade and saute 2 minutes.

4. To serve: arrange the diced tomatoes, cheese, cilantro and sour cream on a serving dish. Spoon the chicken and vegetables onto another; place the wrapped tortillas onto a third dish. Guests can fill their own tortillas.

Per serving: 571 calories, 51 grams protein, 52 grams carbohydrates, 16 grams fat, 111 milligrams cholesterol, 1,537 milligrams sodium. 10 grams dietary fiber.

 

Guacamole

Makes 2 servings

1/4 medium onion, peeled

1/4 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

1/2 medium tomato, quartered

1/2 small ripe avocado, peeled and pit removed

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and ground black pepper

Chop the onion in a food processor. With the blade running add the garlic and tomato. Stop the processor and add the avocado, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until slightly chunky. Taste for seasoning.

Per serving: 75 calories, 1 gram protein, 7 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fat, no cholesterol, 6 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber.

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