1-First Step: Preparation Begin by gathering all your ingredients and equipment. You’ll need a large cutting board, sharp knife, mixing bowl, and a large skillet or cast-iron pan. Start by slicing your onion into slivers and your bell peppers into strips. For even cooking, aim for uniform sizes when cutting your vegetables. If you find raw onions too sharp, you can soak the sliced onions in cold water for about 10 minutes before cooking to mellow their flavor.

2-Second Step: Season the Chicken Cut your chicken breasts into thin strips, approximately ¼ to ½ inch thick. In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the juice of half a lime, chili powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and cumin if using. Add the chicken strips to the bowl and toss to coat evenly, ensuring all pieces are covered in the marinade. For best results, let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, though it can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance if stored in the refrigerator.

3-Third Step: Cook the Chicken Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add half of the seasoned chicken strips in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this will cause the chicken to steam instead of sear. Cook for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is just cooked through and has developed a nice golden color. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken, adding more oil if necessary.

4-Fourth Step: Prepare the Vegetables Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced onions and cook for 2 minutes until they begin to soften and turn translucent. Then add the bell peppers and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender. You want them to maintain some texture rather than becoming mushy. If you prefer your vegetables more tender, you can cook them for an additional minute or two.

5-Final Step: Combine and Serve Return all the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Stir everything together to combine and let the flavors meld for just 1-2 minutes. Squeeze the remaining lime juice over the top for a bright finish. Serve immediately with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings. For a complete meal, consider serving with homemade cornbread as a delicious side.