Make-Ahead Chicken Fajita (Printable Version)

Grilled chicken with sautéed peppers and onions over rice, perfect for easy meal prep bowls.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Vegetables

11 - 2 medium bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow), sliced
12 - 1 medium red onion, sliced
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - Pinch of black pepper

→ Bowls

16 - 2 cups cooked brown rice (or white rice or quinoa)
17 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
18 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
19 - 1 avocado, sliced
20 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Steps:

01 - Combine chicken strips, 2 tbsp olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice in a large bowl. Toss to coat and marinate for at least 10 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced bell peppers and red onion, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and slightly charred. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - Using the same skillet, add the marinated chicken strips and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
04 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four containers. Top each with sautéed vegetables, cooked chicken, black beans, and cherry tomatoes.
05 - Just before serving, add sliced avocado and chopped cilantro to each bowl. Serve with lime wedges. Refrigerate assembled bowls for up to 4 days, keeping avocado and cilantro separate until ready to eat.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare with only 40 minutes total time.
  • Perfect for meal prepping healthy lunches that stay fresh for up to 4 days.
  • Gluten-free and high in protein, supporting balanced nutrition.
  • Versatile ingredients can be swapped or customized to your taste.
02 -
  • For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the fridge.
  • Use a grill pan for char marks and smoky flavor if you prefer grilling over skillet cooking.
  • Keep avocado and cilantro separate until serving to prevent browning and wilting.
  • Double the recipe and freeze leftovers in individual portions for longer meal prep options.
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