Chicken Fajitas and the Theology of Welcome

As part of our 2026 Synod Assembly under the theme Rooted in God’s Story, we are creating a community recipe book — Rooted at the Table. Submit your recipe by Friday, May 1, 2026, and learn more here.

Submitted by Solveig Muus (Grace Lutheran Church, Phoenix)

For Solveig Muus, these chicken fajitas represent far more than dinner—they represent hospitality.

A frequent host who grew up in a family of pastors, Solveig learned early that open doors and shared meals were part of living out faith. Over time, this recipe became her signature gathering meal, served while friends laugh, music plays, and conversations stretch long into the evening.

Food has long been one of the church’s most practical forms of welcome, and this recipe reflects that beautifully.

Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients

• 1/2 envelope Italian Salad Dressing Mix

• 1/3 c. dark rum

• 1/3 c. lime juice

• 1/4 c. oil

• 2 t. hot pepper sauce

• 2 lb. boneless chicken breasts, skinned

• 1 lg. onion, cut into 1/4"" rings

• 1 lg. red pepper, cut into 6 wedges

• 1 lg. green or yellow pepper, cut into 6 wedges

• Flour tortillas

Instructions

• In shallow pan, combine salad dressing mix, rum, lime juice, oil and hot pepper sauce.

• Add chicken, onion and peppers, toss to coat.

• Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, shake or turn occasionally.

• Place chicken on grill (greased) over hot coals.

• Grill 10-15 minutes, turning and brushing with marinade frequently.

• Add vegetables to grill, turning often, for 5 minutes.

• Warm tortillas on grill or in oven if desired.

• Slice the chicken into strips.

• Serve with guacamole, sour cream, red or green salsa or toppings of choice.

• Serves 6.

Story

While I love and often prepare the recipes of my Norwegian heritage that have been preserved from generations past, and know you might also enjoy the meaningful family recipes that populate my many cookbooks (Grandma's 3-Day Buns come to mind), I decided to share my famous and oft-requested Chicken Fajitas recipe (credit: Phoenix New Times circa 1991), because it's a delicious and practical dish I know you'll actually make. This is my go-to meal for when I host gatherings at my home ~ which is a lot! ~ and it's pure joy to be grilling while laughing and talking and drinking margaritas with friends and the music of Willie Nelson or Linda Ronstadt plays in the background. Coming from a long line of pastors, I was raised on warmth and welcome, perpetually open doors, and always having something to feed whoever might show up, at any hour. Our house was God's house, and God's grace was ever-present in the hospitality we tried to embody. This recipe is hospitality. This recipe is neighbor love. Now that I think of it, my fridge is never without these simple ingredients... come on by!