Chicken Fajitas With Summer Squash Food

SWEET AND SPICY CHICKEN FAJITAS WITH SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• For the sweet and spicy marinade: Put the olive oil, cilantro, honey, lime juice, thyme, garlic, jalapenos, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a food processor and pulse to puree. Transfer the mixture to a nonreactive container, add the chicken and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours before cooking
• For the squash and zucchini: Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and a pinch of salt and cook until the zucchini is light brown and tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, yellow squash and a pinch of salt, then transfer the cooked squash to the plate. Add the scallions to the skillet and cook, stirring once or twice, until lightly charred. Add the tomato, jalapeno and the cooked zucchini and squash and stir to combine. Add the cilantro and season with salt. Set aside.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat and brush the grill grates with oil.
• Grill the chicken breasts until marked and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and thinly slice.
• Serve with the warm tortillas and toppings.

TEX-MEX FLANK STEAK FAJITAS WITH SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• For the Tex-Mex chili rub: Mix together the paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, chipotle chile powder, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Toss the flank steak in a container with the olive oil and lime juice, then rub with the spice mixture. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours before cooking.
• For the squash and zucchini: Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and a pinch of salt and cook until the zucchini is light brown and tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, yellow squash and a pinch of salt, then transfer the cooked squash to the plate. Add the scallions to the skillet and cook, stirring once or twice, until lightly charred. Add the tomato, jalapeno and the cooked zucchini and squash and stir to combine. Add the cilantro and season with salt. Set aside.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat and brush the grill grates with oil.
• Grill the flank steak until marked, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board and thinly slice.
• Serve with the warm tortillas and toppings.

CHICKEN FAJITAS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine lime zest and juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, the adobo sauce and optional minced chipotle, 1/4 cup olive oil and half the garlic. Mix well. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the marinade.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in a resealable bag. Pour in the marinade and seal bag. Move chicken around to coat well, place bag in a bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 12 hours). Flip the bag over from time to time to redistribute marinade.
• Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil is hot, add onions and cook, stirring, until they soften and begin to color, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in bell peppers and chile and cook, stirring, until peppers begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Turn heat to medium, add remaining garlic and cumin and salt to taste, and cook, stirring often, until peppers are nicely seared, softened and beginning to caramelize, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Pour in reserved 2 tablespoons marinade and scrape bottom of pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Add half the cilantro, and stir together. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat but keep warm.
• Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in a low oven, or wrap in a towel and warm in a steamer or in the microwave.
• Heat grapeseed or canola oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy skillet. Remove chicken breasts from marinade, reserving marinade, and pat dry with paper towels. Add to pan, rounded side down, and sear for 3 to 4 minutes, until lightly charred. Flip breasts over, pour in marinade, cover pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook 12 to 15 minutes, flipping over from time to time, until a thermometer registers 160 to 165 degrees when inserted into thickest part. Transfer to a cutting board and cover with foil. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes, then cut across the grain into 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick strips.
• Arrange lettuce on a platter, then place chicken next to lettuce. Tip juices from cutting board over chicken and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve vegetables on the same platter or separately. Serve with warm tortillas, salsa and crumbled queso fresco.

GRIDDLED CHICKEN FAJITAS WITH SQUASHED AVOCADO

Steps:

• Stir the garlic into the yogurt. Spoon 2 tbsp into a medium bowl, add the spices and oregano, and stir well. Add the chicken and toss until coated.
• Heat a griddle pan and griddle the chicken for 5 mins, turning once, until cooked all the way through but still moist. (If you want to fry the chicken, wipe a little oil in a non-stick pan first or the spices will burn.)
• Mix the tomatoes with the onion, chilli (if using), coriander and lime to taste. Heat the tortillas following pack instructions. Scoop the flesh from the avocado, squash half on top of each tortilla, then add the chicken and the salsa salad. Spoon over the garlicky yogurt, roll up and eat while still hot.

CONTEST-WINNING CHICKEN FAJITAS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients; divide the mixture between two large resealable plastic bags. Add chicken to one and vegetables to the other; seal bags and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, turning bags occasionally. , Drain and discard marinade from chicken and vegetables. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken for 6-7 minutes or until no longer pink; drain. Remove chicken and keep warm. In the same skillet. Saute vegetables for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. , Spoon chicken and vegetables onto tortillas; fold in sides. Serve immediately.