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Easy Sheet Pan Fajita Bowls with Zesty Cilantro Lime Rice

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A quick and easy Tex-Mex inspired sheet pan fajita bowl featuring juicy chicken, caramelized bell peppers, and bright cilantro lime rice. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced into strips
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup long grain white rice (basmati recommended)
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional toppings: avocado slices or guacamole, sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack), fresh jalapeño slices, warm corn or flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Slice chicken breasts into ½ inch thick strips. Slice bell peppers and onion into similar-sized strips.
  3. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil over chicken strips, bell peppers, and onions. Sprinkle fajita seasoning over and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Arrange chicken and vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding.
  6. Roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and vegetables are tender with some charred edges. Stir halfway through cooking.
  7. While roasting, rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add rice, a pinch of salt, and butter or olive oil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
  8. Remove rice from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Adjust salt to taste.
  9. Assemble bowls by spooning cilantro lime rice into bowls, topping with roasted chicken and vegetables, and adding optional toppings as desired.

Notes

Keep an eye on the chicken towards the end to avoid drying out. Stir veggies halfway through roasting for even cooking. Rinse rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent clumping. Let rice rest covered after cooking for fluffiness. For thicker chicken strips, pound to even thickness for even cooking. Rest chicken a few minutes before serving to retain juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan fajita bowls, cilantro lime rice, easy dinner, chicken fajitas, Tex-Mex, quick weeknight meal, healthy fajitas

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-sheet-pan-fajita-bowls-with-zesty-cilantro-lime-rice-recipe/