Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas #Recipe @PegCochran

 

 

This yummy recipe comes from Skinnyish Dish with a few tweaks.  The original recipe calls for chicken breasts but I used boneless thighs instead.  For the fajita seasoning, I mixed regular paprika with smoked paprika.  Smoked paprika gives it a wonderful "cooked over the grill" smokiness but also adds a bit of heat and hubby is sensitive to that.  My air fryer is on the smaller side so I cooked my vegetables first to get them nice and charred, put them in a serving dish, then added my chicken to the air fryer.  Then I added the onion, which I realized I'd forgotten!  It still turned out great!

1 lb. chicken breasts or tenderloins (I used boneless thighs) cut into thin slices

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 red onion

2 to 3 bell peppers green, yellow, red or a combination

3 tsp oil divided (2 tsp for chicken, 1 tsp for peppers/onions)

Cooking spray   

salt and pepper, to taste

juice of one lime and cilantro optional

 

Fajita Seasoning

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1½ tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika for less spice or a combination)

 1/2 tsp oregano

 1/4 tsp pepper

 

Mix fajita seasoning and set aside.

 

Slice peppers into thin strips.  Dry chicken on paper towels and slice.

 

Add peppers and onions to a bowl and add fajita seasoning.  Mix well (use your hands.)

Add chicken to bowl with peppers and onions and mix again so all the ingredients are well coated.

Spray air fryer with cooking spray and heat to 400 degrees.  Add chicken and vegetables and cook 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket half-way through.  

Serve with warm tortillas.

 

 

 It's Here!

 A Berry Suspicious Death is now out!

 

    AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE    

 

Weddings are murder in the new Cranberry Cove Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Peg Cochran!

The cranberry bogs at Sassamanash Farms have never looked more festive than when Monica’s half-brother celebrates his wedding there. It’s a genuinely joyous occasion, and even greeting a strange assortment of guests and witnessing a heated argument can’t spoil Monica’s mood. But that all changes when one of the guests is found murdered at the reception—and then one of Monica’s employees is accused of doing the deed to get his hands on the dead woman’s money.

It doesn’t take long for Monica to discover that the victim had amassed her fortune by marrying a very wealthy—and very ill—older man. What’s more, the old man’s daughters despised the scheming, gold-digging woman, and thought the inheritance money should have been theirs. That seems like motive enough for murder, but Monica suspects there’s more to this case than simple greed. With her employee in hot water and time running out, Monica will have to act fast to catch the killer, before a case that started with a family wedding ends with her own funeral . ..

 

AMAZON

                BARNES & NOBLE

 

Website

Facebook Page

 

 

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas #Recipe @PegCochran

 

This dinner is quick and easy and customizable to your taste. Use whatever color peppers you like--red, orange, green--or a combination of all of them.  And if you have peppers in your garden--a bonus!  We enjoyed these topped with shredded cheddar cheese (hubby wants shredded cheese on anything Mexican or Tex-Mex) and some sour cream.  If you like cilantro, feel free to sprinkle some on as well.  Feel free to use your own fajita seasoning, but this was very good--not too spicy since hubby can't tolerate anything too hot. This is adapted from a recipe on the Skinnyish Dish.

 

1 lb. chicken breast cut into thin slices (it’s easier if the meat is slightly frozen)

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 red onion, cut into strips

2-3 medium bell peppers, cut into strips    

3 tsp oil, divided

Cooking spray

Salt and pepper, to taste

Tortillas

Juice of one lime and cilantro  (optional)

 

 

Fajita Seasoning

1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1½ tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp oregano
¼ tsp. pepper

 

Mix fajita seasonings together and set aside.

 

 

Dry chicken well with paper towels. 

 

 

Add chicken to a bowl, sprinkle with fajita seasoning, cornstarch and drizzle with 2 tsp oil. Stir to completely coat chicken.

Add peppers and onions to bowl and drizzle with 1 tsp oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir again.

Preheat air fryer (if required by your air fryer) to 400 degrees. Spray basket with cooking spray and add chicken mixture. 

 

Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking basket occasionally to ensure even cooking.   

 

Warm tortillas in microwave covered with a paper towel.  Or grill briefly over an open flame.

Add chicken/pepper mixture to tortillas.  Top with desired toppings—cilantro, sour cream, squirt of lime juice.

 

PRE-ORDER SALE $3.99!

 

Cranberry Cove #7 is finally here!  Publication date: September 20.  

 

Monica's stepmother wakes up next to a dead man!  Did she do it?

 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

 

An unscrupulous realtor pays the ultimate closing costs in the new Cranberry Cove Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Peg Cochran!

Autumn is settling in on Cranberry Cove, but things are starting to heat up when Monica’s stepmother shows up at her back door gripped by panic. Gasping out an explanation, she tells Monica she’d been dozing in her realtor’s car when he was shot dead. Refusing to alert the police for fear that the killer will target her next—or that the police will consider her their prime suspect—Monica’s stepmother goes mute, and Monica decides to track down the culprit herself to clear her name and keep her safe.

Finding the killer won’t be so easy, though, as the victim had run afoul of buyers, sellers, and even other realtors at one time or another, and it seems that nearly everyone in the small town had a reason to want him dead. Even more puzzling is that the deeper Monica digs into the background and final days of the victim, the more the clues point to her stepmother. Then a second body is found, and Monica realizes she’s going up against a devious killer who will stop at nothing to put everyone involved out of commission . . . 

On the Border Fajitas #Recipe Peg Cochran

Some colleagues from work recently took me out to dinner at On the Border to celebrate my retirement--yay!  Since I'm still doing Weight Watchers, I opted for the fajitas, which were the least caloric choice.  I was surprised by how good they were! I went searching for a recipe and found copycat fajita recipes on many sites so I decided to try it.

I did make some changes. I cut back on the amount of oil I used for sauteeing, I added peppers and I had mine without the tortillas.  It was still delicious!

On the Border fajitas

Marinade

1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large clove garlic, pressed
3 teaspoons vinegar
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Dash onion powder

Filling

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves  
1 Spanish onion, sliced

Red, yellow or green pepper, sliced (optional)

Sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon lime juice
Dash ground black pepper
Dash salt

On the Side (Optional—Your choice)

Pico de gallo
Grated Cheddar cheese
Guacamole
Sour cream
Shredded lettuce
Flour tortillas
Salsa

Combine marinade ingredients, place in a baking dish or zip lock baggie and marinate chicken for two hours or more.

Saute onions (and peppers if using) in oil for approximately five minutes.  Combine soy sauce and lime juice in a bowl and pour over onions.

Preheat grill—indoors or outdoors.  Grill chicken for four to five minutes per side or until cooked through.  Slice into thin strips and add to pan with onions. 

   

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Steam tortillas in a moist paper towel in microwave for 30 seconds to warm.

Fill tortillas with meat and onion mixture and add toppings of your choice.

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

An intrepid 1930s Manhattan socialite uncovers deadly secrets during an assignment to the Hamptons in this riveting historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Anne Perry, and Rhys Bowen.

Westhampton, 1938. To the dismay of her well-to-do family, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams is quickly establishing herself as a seasoned photographer over at the Daily Trumpet. Growing more confident in her decision to pursue a career, Elizabeth is thrilled when she and her reporter sidekick, Ralph Kaminsky, are sent to Long Island to cover the story of a young maid found dead in one of the glamourous summer homes in the devastating aftermath of the Great New England Hurricane—also known as the Long Island Express.

At first it’s assumed that the young woman was caught in the terrible storm, but when a suspicious wound is found on the side of her head, the police suspect murder. The maid’s death becomes even more tragic when it’s discovered she was pregnant, and with Elizabeth and Kaminsky at the scene of the crime, the Daily Trumpet scoops all the other papers in town.

The young woman’s boyfriend emerges as the likeliest suspect. But as Elizabeth follows the story, she begins to wonder whether someone in the household of the maid’s employers might be responsible—someone who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth about the baby’s paternity hidden.

Grilled Chicken Fajitas #Recipe @PegCochran

We love anything with Mexican or Tex-Mex flavoring.  Who doesn't?  And this recipe is fast, easy and actually healthy because you load up on vegetables and lean chicken.  The recipe comes from Laura Greutman and it was posted on AllRecipes.  I'm giving the original ingredients which serve 6.  I scaled it back for the two of us.

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, sliced
1 - 2 red, orange or yellow peppers or a combination
1.5 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. blackpepper
1 tsp. salt or to taste
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 - 2 tsp. lime juice (or more to taste)
tortillas

Preheat grill to 400 - 450 degrees

Either slice the breasts in half horizontally or pound to a thickness of half an inch.

Combine all spices in a bowl and mix well.  Add the lime juice and a tablespoon of olive oil.  Rub mixture into chicken.

Thinly slice peppers and onion and toss with 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Add to a grill tray and grill until soft and slightly charred.

Grill chicken 3 to 5 minutes per side or until cooked through.  Let rest for five minutes, then slice into strips.

Grill tortillas for a few minutes while chicken is resting.

Serve fajitas with your favorite toppings--sour cream, diced avocado, salsa, etc.

OUT NOW!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

A Park Avenue princess discovers the dark side of 1930s New York when a debutante ball turns deadly in this gripping historical mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Anne Perry, and Rhys Bowen.

Manhattan, 1938. Tired of being trapped in the gilded cage of her family’s expectations, Elizabeth Adams has done what no self-respecting socialite would think to do: She’s gotten herself a job. Although Elizabeth’s dream is to one day see her photographs on the front page of the Daily Trumpet, for now she’s working her way up as the newsroom’s gal Friday.

But fetching coffee isn’t exactly her idea of fun, so when veteran reporter Ralph Kaminsky needs a photographer to fill in for a last-minute assignment, Elizabeth jumps at the chance. At the Waldorf Hotel, Elizabeth is tasked with tracking down the season’s “It girl,” Gloria DeWitt, who will be making her society debut. Working her own connections to New York’s upper crust, Elizabeth manages to land an exclusive interview with Gloria.

Then Gloria’s stepmother is shot dead in a Waldorf bathroom, placing Elizabeth at the scene of a headline-worthy scandal: “Murder of a Society Dame.” Now Elizabeth will have to get the scoop on the killer before her good name gets dragged through the gossip columns—or worse. . . .

From a Goodreads Review:

"What absolute fun! Penned with wit, humor and style, MURDER, SHE REPORTED gets my definite, “Yes!”

Catch up with me on Facebook!

Barnes and Noble

 Amazon

OUT NOW!

RT MAGAZINE TOP PICK!!

“The clever ‘Dear Reader’ asides serve up just the right amount of dry wit, and the occasional blog post snippet provides readers with some helpful tips alongside their mystery. The case is always well plotted, and the fictitious Michigan small-town setting provides an intriguing supporting cast with a bevy of interesting personalities. Readers will root for Shelby to solve the case and stay on the edge of their seats until she does.”

– RT Reviews

OUT NOW--BOOK #4 IN THE CRANBERRY COVE SERIES

Amazon
Amazon Print
Barnes & Noble

It’s a marriage made in murder in the new Cranberry Cove Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Peg Cochran!

The long-awaited wedding of Monica and Greg is the highlight of the harvest season in Cranberry Cove, drawing friends from far and wide to help them celebrate. Among the guests are an old college friend of Monica’s and the woman’s boisterous new husband, a man with many enemies and more than a few bitter women in his past. When he turns up dead on a boat, the victim of a fatal stabbing, Monica steps in once again to unravel the mystery.

As she dredges up clues and wades through a long list of suspects, Monica’s sleuthing becomes all the more pressing when the local police are convinced that her friend did the deed. Monica will have to clear her name fast and track down the real culprit as the killer threatens to bring her sweet wedded bliss to a bitter end.

Includes tasty recipes!  

***

A Recipe Tribute to Robin Williams: Chili-Espresso Steak Rub from Martha Stewart via Cleo Coyle

Like so many people, I was a huge fan of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams and heartbroken to hear of his passing. 

Not only could Robin's stand-up comedy make me laugh until I cried, he starred in one of my all-time favorite films, Dead Poets Society. If you are a writer and have not seen this movie, put it on your list to screen soon. (More on that below.) 

For today, because this is a recipe blog, I am sharing a happy memory of Robin when he appeared on The Martha Stewart Show back in 2006. You won't want to miss his comedic chef act. And the recipe he makes with Martha is a delicious one. I'm posting a very slightly adapted version for you to try at home.

To see Robin Williams and Martha Stewart
cooking this recipe together, click the
arrow in the window below. 

*****************

****************

If the above video does not play,
you can view it on Martha Stewart's site
by clicking here.

Chili-Espresso Steak Rub

(Great for Fajitas or Tacos)

Slightly adapted from a recipe
Martha Stewart made with Robin Williams
on The Martha Stewart Show, April 2006

Serves 8

Steak Rub Ingredients:

3 cloves of garlic crushed and tossed 

with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (I use kosher salt)

1 tablespoon more of coarse salt for rub (I use kosher)

2 tablespoons mild chili powder

3 tablespoons light-brown sugar

2 teaspoons smoked or sweet paprika (I use smoked)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (See my note on this ingredient
      at the end of the recipe)

Suggested use on: 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak 

Cleo’s version of Martha’s
and Robin’s process:

Step 1 - Here's the rub (heh-heh): After tossing the crushed garlic with salt, make a paste. Here’s how to do it. On a firm, flat surface (such as a cutting board or clean counter top), put the flat side of the blade on top of the garlic and press down as you pull the blade toward you. Repeat this a few times until you see a paste forming. Move this paste to a small bowl. Measure in the chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, pepper, espresso powder (aka instant espresso), and the remaining tablespoon of salt. Stir this mixture until combined. You now have your rub!

Step 2 – Prep the steak: Rub the mixture all over the skirt steak (both sides), and place the steak in a large plastic bag. Marinate the meat for 30 minutes at room temperature. (Note: You can certainly marinate longer. I like to marinate the rubbed meat for 2 to 3 hours, but note that for this amount of time, you will have to move the plastic bag into the refrigerator to prevent bacteria from forming, and be sure to allow the steak to warm to room temperature again before "shocking" the meat on the hot grill.)

Step 3 – Grill the steak: For indoor grilling, preheat a grill pan over high heat, or you can use an outdoor grill. For medium-rare, place your skirt steak on the grill, and cook for 3 minutes on each side.

Step 4 – Rest that meat: Let the steak sit for about 5 to 8 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to re-collect and prevents them from running right out when you slice (making the meat taste dry instead of moist and juicy).

Serving idea: Thinly slice the skirt steak into strips and serve with warm tortillas, salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, and lime wedges.

Cleo's note on espresso powder: One of my readers recently asked me about espresso powder. What is it? Where do I purchase it? To see my reply with links that may help, simply hop over to my website's message board here.

Thank you, Robin!

Robin Williams starred in many of my favorite films, and I enjoyed his performances time and time again. Good Will Hunting; What Dreams May Come; Good Morning, Vietnam; Birdcage; and the list goes on.

If I had to choose one of his films as my all-time favorite, it would have to be Dead Poet's Society, which spoke volumes to me as a writer. Below is a scene from the movie, which seems all the more poignant today... 

To view this clip, click the arrow
in the window below, 

or click here to see it on YouTube.

*************

*************

"That the powerful play goes on

and you may contribute a verse..."

Thank you for your verse, Robin. 

You touched and inspired 

so many of us. 

We will never forget you.

~ Cleo Coyle

New York Times bestselling author of

The Coffeehouse Mysteries

Yes, this is me, Cleo (aka Alice). 

Friend me on facebook here.

Follow me on twitter here. 

Visit my online coffeehouse here.

***

To see my regular recipe post this week...

Paleo Pizza or
How to Make Pizza Crust from Cauliflower
(no flour, no yeast, no kidding), 

Click here.

I'll see you there...

****