Orange Witbier Chicken Fajitas
Everything we cook these days is on the grill. It is way too warm to be hunched over a stove or oven, inside a stifling hot kitchen. Instead, we sit outside, in the shade, throw food on the grill, and enjoy craft beers. Summer isn’t my favourite season (gasp!), but this is my favourite part about summer; grilling outside (or smoking!) and enjoying summer craft beers like IPAs, radlers, and wheat beers. And of course, if you don’t know by now, this post is going to have a little of both – the craft beer and the food – in this one, specifically something we did on the grill – orange witbier chicken fajitas! It is a little different, in that we used metal tins to basically slow-cook the chicken in its marinade. So actually, you could do these Orange Witbier Chicken Fajitas in the oven, or even a slow cooker. But I highly suggest it be snowy and cold if you are going to do that. But you know, you do you and I will do me!
The Brewery
These Orange Witbier Chicken Fajitas were made using an orange witbier from Prairie Brewing Company which is located in Three Hills and has been around for a couple years. Their brewing adventure was inspired by a trip to Australia and a tour of a brewery there. Find out more about their story and their beers on their website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The Beer
The Equitty Orange Belgian WitBier from Prairie Brewing Company was the perfect choice for these Orange Witbier Chicken Fajitas. This beer pours a hazy, orange colour, with light, puffy, somewhat creamy white head that subsides slowly. The smell is doughy, orange rind, some spiciness, maybe coriander, and a light floral hoppiness. The taste is close to the nose, bready/doughy, orange and lemon rind, semi-sweetness, wheaty, and a light earthy floral hoppiness. Carbonation is medium, mouthfeel is slightly dry, and medium bodied. Overall this summer beer has a lot of flavour and the breadiness isn’t too heavy making it a really easy drinking, refreshing patio beer.
The Recipe
Now onto the Orange Witbier Chicken Fajitas, cooked outside on the barbecue, with a craft beer in hand while we wait.
Orange Witbier Chicken Fajitas
Tasty chicken fajitas, slow cooked in a marinade of herbs, spices, and orange wheat beer!
Ingredients
- 1 cup orange wheat beer
- 4 Tbsp avocado oil
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp Aleppo chili (sub with red pepper flakes)
- 1 tsp Morita chipotle powder (or any chipotle powder)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 10 oz. chicken breasts cut into strips (about two large breasts)
Instructions
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Mix all of the ingredients, except for the chicken, together in a bowl or shake in a mason jar, until well combined. Pour over chicken in a dish or a resealable bag, and marinate for at least 4 hours.
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In a bbq safe dish (I use small foil dishes, that look like take-out containers), place chicken and the marinade in the dish. Set grill to as low as it can go. You want the temperature to be about 250 - 300 degrees.
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Slow cook the chicken in the marinade for about 1 to 1.5 hours at a slow temperature, turning every once in a while. Keeping the chicken in the marinade should keep it from drying out.
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Once cooked through, serve as you wish!
Try with sliced peppers, onions, and cabbage that have been lightly tossed over medium heat, on top of a slightly warmed tortilla. Or serve the chicken over a salad and top with shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream (orange wheat beer chicken fajita salad!)
Recipe Notes
This recipe is just for the chicken part of the "fajita" - the rest is up to you! Cheers!
