Fajitas Party

Name: Fajitas Party
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into long, thin strips; 3 tablespoons chopped garlic; 1 large or 2 medium onions, thinly sliced; 1 medium red pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into long, thin strips; 1 medium green pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into long, thin strips; 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons chili powder, ancho preferred; 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 2 medium jalapenos, divided; 1/4 cup water or tequila; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 12 7-inch flour tortillas; 1 pint sour cream; 1 pint fresh tomato salsa (recipe below, or substitute store-bought salsa); 6 ounces grated sharp cheddar; 12 lime wedges, for garnish; 3 cups finely chopped plum tomatoes; 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion; 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, green and white parts; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno; 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic; 3 tablespoons lime juice; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; Hot sauce (optional)

27 ingredients

28 steps

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into long, thin strips
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 large or 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 medium red pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into long, thin strips
1 medium green pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into long, thin strips
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chili powder, ancho preferred
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 medium jalapenos, divided
1/4 cup water or tequila
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 7-inch flour tortillas
1 pint sour cream
1 pint fresh tomato salsa (recipe below, or substitute store-bought salsa)
6 ounces grated sharp cheddar
12 lime wedges, for garnish
3 cups finely chopped plum tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, green and white parts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1

Do ahead: The fajitas filling can be made up to two hours ahead and reheated in a saute pan just before serving.
2

If making ahead, dont cook it right to the end of the suggested cooking time, as it might dry out when reheated.
3

Tortillas may be softened and held, wrapped in a damp towel, in a warm oven for up to 30 minutes.
4

Combine chicken, garlic, chili powder and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl.
5

Stir to mix evenly, wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
6

Take 1 jalapeno and cut off the stem.
7

Cut the pepper in half, remove the seeds and membrane and finely chop the flesh.
8

Stem the second jalapeno and cut it crosswise into very thin slices.
9

Set aside.
10

In a large saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil.
11

Add onion and saute over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to brown, about 10 minutes.
12

Add red pepper, green pepper and finely chopped jalapeno.
13

Saute, stirring occasionally until peppers are wilted, about 7 minutes.
14

Add chicken, and continue cooking until chicken is opaque and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
15

Keep an eye on the mixture as you may need to add a little more oil.
16

Remove pan from heat and stir in water or tequila, cilantro, salt and pepper.
17

To prepare tortillas, heat a dry saute pan over moderate heat.
18

Set flour tortillas in pan one at a time to soften.
19

Heat for 10 seconds, then flip and repeat on the other side.
20

Transfer warm tortillas to a large square of foil and package and hold in a 200 oven for up to 30 minutes.
21

Arrange a platter of warm tortillas and bowls of sour cream, salsa, grated cheddar, sliced jalapeno and lime wedges.
22

Serve chicken with onions and peppers in a large bowl.
23

Invite your guests to assemble their own fajitas.
24

For the Fresh Tomato Salsa:
25

In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, onions, scallions, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, olive oil and salt.
26

Mix thoroughly.
27

If desired, add hot sauce to taste.
28

Beef Fajitas: Substitute 1 1/2 pounds beef for the chicken.