Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 2 tbsp fajita seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), thinly sliced
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice, cooked (or 4 cups pre-cooked rice)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- Toppings: pico de gallo, sliced avocado, sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack, extra lime wedges
Instructions
- Season. Toss the chicken strips with the fajita seasoning until evenly coated. Start the rice now if you aren't using pre-cooked — it can steam while everything else cooks.
- Sear the chicken. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear the chicken in a single layer 4–5 minutes until golden with charred edges and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Char the peppers. Add the remaining oil to the same skillet. Cook the peppers and onion over high heat 5–6 minutes until softened with charred edges — don't stir too much; the char is the flavor. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Bring it together. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss everything for 1 minute. Squeeze the lime juice over the top and take off the heat.
- Pack the bowls. Fluff the cooked rice with cilantro and a pinch of salt. Divide among 4 meal prep containers, top with the fajita chicken and peppers, and refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Serve. Reheat 2 minutes in the microwave and add your toppings — pico de gallo, avocado, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and an extra lime wedge.
💡 25-minute meal prep tips
The clock starts with thin chicken strips and high heat — no batching, no waiting. Pre-cooked rice (store-bought pouches or leftover rice) is the fastest route to a true 25 minutes. Bowls keep 4 days refrigerated; pack avocado and pico de gallo fresh on serving day so they stay bright. To reheat without drying the chicken, sprinkle a teaspoon of water over the bowl before microwaving.
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