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Chicken Fajita Bowls with Cilantro Ranch Dressing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 86 reviews

These Chicken Fajita Bowls offer a vibrant and flavorful meal featuring tender, seasoned chicken breast cooked with sautéed bell peppers and onions, served over a bed of long grain rice and pinto beans. Topped with a zesty homemade cilantro ranch dressing, Mexican blend cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and fresh lime, this dish delivers the perfect balance of bold Tex-Mex flavors in a convenient bowl format, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1½ pounds chicken breast (thin or cut in half horizontally to be thin)
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
  • 1 lime (juiced, divided)

Vegetables

  • 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1 sweet yellow onion (sliced)

Base and Beans

  • 1 cup long grain rice (uncooked)
  • 2 cups pinto beans (cooked, see note about preferred method)

Toppings and Garnishes

  • ½ cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • ½ cup pico de gallo
  • ¼ cup guacamole
  • 8 sprigs cilantro (for garnish)
  • 1 lime (cut into wedges for serving)

Cilantro Ranch Dressing

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons salsa verde (prepared)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the rice: Cook the long grain rice according to the package directions until tender and fluffy. Set aside and keep warm.
  2. Make the cilantro ranch dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, sour cream, buttermilk, salsa verde, and fresh cilantro. Blend until smooth and refrigerate until ready to use to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Marinate the chicken: In a zip-top bag or container, combine the chicken breasts with the fajita seasoning, half of the lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Seal and marinate while preparing the vegetables.
  4. Prepare the vegetables: Slice green and red bell peppers and the sweet yellow onion into thin strips, ensuring even sizes for uniform cooking.
  5. Sauté peppers and onions: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the sliced peppers and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until just tender yet still crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  6. Cook the chicken: Add the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer to the hot skillet. Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a sear, then flip and cook for an additional 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook 3-5 minutes longer until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Remove the chicken and slice thinly.
  7. Add lime juice to cooked ingredients: Squeeze remaining lime juice over the cooked peppers, onions, and chicken to brighten the flavors.
  8. Assemble the bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with a portion of pinto beans, then layer on the sautéed peppers, onions, and sliced chicken.
  9. Add toppings: Garnish each bowl with shredded Mexican blend cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, fresh cilantro sprigs, and a wedge of lime.
  10. Drizzle dressing and serve: Finish by drizzling the prepared cilantro ranch dressing over each bowl. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant, flavorful chicken fajita bowls.

Notes

  • If canned pinto beans are used, drain and rinse before warming for best texture and flavor.
  • Fajita seasoning can be store-bought or homemade using chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Adjust the amount of lime juice and cilantro in the dressing to taste for a more or less tangy and herby flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165˚F internal temperature.
  • To make this meal gluten free, verify that the fajita seasoning and ranch seasoning are gluten free.

Keywords: chicken fajita bowls, fajita seasoning, cilantro ranch dressing, Tex-Mex chicken bowl, easy dinner bowl

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/chicken-fajita-bowls-with-cilantro-ranch-dressing-recipe/