Chicken Fajita Lettuce Cups
Chicken Fajita Lettuce Cups are a lighter and healthier twist on the classic fajita, where the tortillas are replaced with crisp lettuce leaves. These flavorful and colorful cups are filled with tender, marinated chicken, sautéed peppers and onions, and topped with your favorite fajita toppings. They are a delicious and satisfying option for a low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly meal.
INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Fajita Filling:
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Serving:
- Large lettuce leaves (such as butter lettuce, romaine, or iceberg)
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
INSTRUCTIONS
In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to make the chicken marinade.
Add the sliced chicken breasts to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the fajita filling. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
In the same skillet, cook the marinated chicken slices over medium-high heat until they are cooked through and slightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
To assemble the lettuce cups, take a large lettuce leaf and place a spoonful of the fajita filling (sautéed peppers and onions) in the center.
Top the filling with a few pieces of cooked chicken.
Garnish with a dollop of guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and chopped cilantro.
Squeeze some lime juice over the top for added flavor.
Repeat the process to make more Chicken Fajita Lettuce Cups.
Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious and healthy chicken fajita lettuce cups!
TIPS
For extra heat and flavor, you can add some sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the fajita filling.
Customize the toppings to your preference. Other delicious options include shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and hot sauce.
You can use any type of lettuce leaves as long as they are sturdy enough to hold the fajita filling, such as romaine, iceberg, butter lettuce, or Bibb lettuce.
If you prefer a spicier marinade, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder.
Make sure to slice the chicken thinly to ensure quick and even cooking.
For a complete meal, serve the Chicken Fajita Lettuce Cups with a side of Mexican rice or black beans.
If you don’t have time to marinate the chicken, you can still make this recipe by seasoning the chicken directly in the skillet with the same spices.
This recipe is great for meal prep! Prepare the chicken and fajita filling ahead of time, and assemble the lettuce cups when ready to serve.
Feel free to use other proteins, such as beef, shrimp, or tofu, for different variations of the fajita lettuce cups.
NUTRITION VALUE
- Calories: Approximately 250-300 calories per serving
- Protein: Around 25-30 grams per serving
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 10-15 grams per serving
- Fat: About 10-15 grams per serving
