Preparation time
Less than 30 mins
Cooking time
30-40 mins
Serves
3-4 young children (Child fajitas) / 2 adults and 2 children (Family fajitas)
Fajitas are a family favourite, and these can be enjoyed by the whole family, using many of the same ingredients but with a couple of small changes.
By Miguel Barclay
Children's ingredients
2 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips
1⁄4 red pepper, seeds removed and cut into long thin strips
1⁄2 small onion, thinly sliced
For the marinade:
2 tsp olive oil
1⁄2 tsp paprika, ideally mild smoked paprika
1⁄2 tsp ground cumin
1 garlic clove, crushed (optional)
1 tbsp tomato puree
black pepper
To serve:
80g long-grain white rice
1 soft small tortilla or pitta bread
cooked broccoli florets (optional)
Adults' ingredients
6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips
3⁄4 red pepper, seeds removed and cut into thin strips
1 1⁄2 small onions, thinly sliced
For the marinade:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1⁄2 tsp paprika, preferably mild smoked paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
1⁄2–1 tsp dried chilli flakes
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp tomato puree
juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for squeezing
black pepper
To serve:
4 medium soft tortillas
1 Little Gem lettuce, shredded
40g Cheddar cheese, grated
1 ripe avocado, skin and stone removed, sliced (optional)
chilli sauce (optional)
Note - you can chop all 8 chicken thighs, 1 red pepper, and 2 onions together and separate out 1/4 for the children's version.
The adult marinade is largely the same, but with more of the spices and a couple of additions.
Method
- Mix together the children's marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Add the children's portion of chicken, red peppers and onions and stir until coated. In a larger mixing bowl, do the same with the adults' marinade ingredients and the adults' portion of chicken, peppers and onions.
- Put the rice in a small pan and pour in enough just-boiled water from a kettle to cover. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down. Cover with a lid and simmer for 12–15 minutes until tender. When your rice is cooked, drain using a colander.
- Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry the children's chicken mixture, turning occasionally, for about 8 minutes or until everything is nearly cooked. Add 5 tablespoons of water and cook for another couple of minutes until the chicken is cooked through (so there is no trace of pink inside) and the vegetables are softened. Pour into an ovenproof dish and keep warm in a low temperature oven.
- Add more oil to the frying pan and cook the adults' chicken mixture for 8-10 minutes, or until everything is cooked through. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your pan. You can keep one batch warm by putting it into a different ovenproof dish in the oven, while you cook a second batch.
- Warm your tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds, or wrapped in foil in the low temperature oven. Cut the child's tortilla into strips for dipping.
- Take the children's chicken mixture out of the oven and finely chop or mince. Mix this into the rice. Add extra boiled water if the mixture looks too dry. Serve in a bowl with the cooked broccoli and tortilla strips as finger foods.
- To serve the adults' fajitas, place the warmed tortillas on plates and top with some lettuce and the chicken mixture. Scatter over the cheese and top with slices of avocado and chilli sauce, if using. Squeeze over some extra lime juice for a fresh, zingy boost.
When you're cooking, you could count out the tortillas with baby, let them smell the different spices and talk about the different colours.
Tip - you could refrigerate or freeze some of the children's leftovers, but ensure you put it in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible after cooking and reheat until it's thoroughly piping hot throughout.
If serving with the tortilla fingers, encourage your child to 'dip' them - this is a great new action word for them to learn! Be sure to talk to them about how 'tasty' and 'spicy' the food is too. This is a great meal to have all the family around the table chatting to baby.
