When Chef Serge Krikorian joined Ashley King and Tracy Beene on THV11’s The Vine, he brought along the perfect solution for busy school nights: recipes that are quick, delicious, and fun for the whole family to make together.
The back-to-school season brings a whirlwind of activities, homework, and hectic schedules that can make family dinner feel like an impossible challenge. That’s exactly why our Chef Serge was thrilled to share some of his favorite quick-and-easy recipes on THV11’s The Vine with hosts Ashley King and Tracy Beene. These are strategic solutions designed to bring families together in the kitchen while creating something absolutely delicious.
Why These Recipes Work for Real Families
The Sheet Pan Solution
Chef Serge’s sheet pan fajitas represent everything we love about smart family cooking. This one-pan wonder eliminates the chaos of multiple pots and pans while delivering restaurant-quality flavors that appeal to both adults and kids. The beauty of sheet pan cooking lies in its simplicity because everything cooks together, flavors meld beautifully, and cleanup is practically nonexistent.
What makes this recipe particularly brilliant for school nights is its flexibility. Kids can easily help with the preparation by arranging ingredients on the pan, and the hands-off cooking time gives parents precious minutes to help with homework or tackle other evening tasks. The visual appeal of colorful peppers and onions sizzling alongside perfectly seasoned chicken strips makes dinner feel special, even on the busiest Tuesday night.
Teaching Kitchen Skills Without the Stress
These recipes serve as perfect teaching tools for young cooks. The sheet pan fajitas introduce kids to basic knife skills (under supervision) when slicing vegetables, teach them about seasoning and flavor combinations, and show them how proper cooking techniques create delicious results. The pico de gallo offers an even gentler introduction to cooking because it’s essentially a lesson in knife skills and flavor balancing that results in something fresh and delicious.
The Make-Ahead Magic
What Chef Serge emphasized during his appearance is the incredible versatility of these recipes beyond the initial meal. The fajita mixture transforms effortlessly into tomorrow’s lunch as quesadilla filling, becomes the foundation for a hearty salad, or even tops a baked potato for a completely different dinner experience. This kind of meal planning helps busy families maximize their cooking efforts while keeping meal variety exciting.
College Student Survival Skills
These recipes are perfect for college students who are learning to navigate independent living. The ingredient lists are straightforward and budget-friendly, the techniques are forgiving enough for novice cooks, and the results are impressive enough to share with roommates or date nights.
The sheet pan method teaches valuable lessons about meal planning and preparation that will serve students well beyond their college years. Learning to cook complete, satisfying meals using simple techniques builds confidence in the kitchen and creates healthier eating habits than relying on takeout and processed foods.
The Vibrant Occasions Difference
During his appearance on The Vine, Chef Serge showcased the same principles that guide our approach to catering by using high-quality ingredients, smart cooking techniques, and creative presentations to create memorable food experiences. Whether we’re preparing for an intimate dinner party or a large wedding celebration, these fundamentals remain constant.
These family-friendly recipes demonstrate that exceptional food doesn’t require complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. Sometimes the most satisfying meals come from simple, well-executed dishes that bring people together around the table.
Making Weeknight Magic Happen
The secret to successful weeknight cooking lies in choosing recipes that work with your schedule, not against it. Chef Serge’s selections are designed to be forgiving even if dinner runs a few minutes late, the sheet pan fajitas won’t suffer. If kids want to add extra cheese or skip the jalapeños, the recipes adapt beautifully to individual preferences.
The interactive nature of these meals, assembling fajitas, dipping chips in fresh pico de gallo, creates natural conversation opportunities that help families reconnect after busy days. Food becomes the catalyst for sharing stories about school, work, and life.
Fresh Flavors, Simple Techniques
The pico de gallo represents everything we love about fresh, simple cooking. This vibrant mixture of tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice proves that the best flavors often come from the simplest combinations. It’s a recipe that teaches kids about balancing acidity, heat, and freshness while creating something that elevates everything it touches.
Making pico de gallo together becomes a lesson in tasting and adjusting seasonings, skills that will serve young cooks throughout their lives. Plus, having fresh salsa in the refrigerator means healthy snacking options are always available for after-school appetites!
The Recipes
Easy Back to School Sheet Pan Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts – sliced into thin strips
- 2 bell peppers (any colors) – sliced into strips
- 1 medium red onion – sliced into strips
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet fajita seasoning (or 2–3 tbsp homemade mix)
- 8 small flour tortillas (or corn, if preferred)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Add chicken, peppers, and onions to the pan.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle fajita seasoning evenly over everything. Toss to coat well.
- Spread in a single layer for even cooking.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender and the chicken strips have an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Speed Tips:
- Use pre-sliced chicken strips (often sold as “stir-fry chicken”) and pre-cut fajita veggie mixes from the grocery store.
- Make a double batch and use leftovers for sheet pan nachos, fajita bowls, quesadillas, or salads the next day.
- Warm tortillas in foil in the oven for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Fresh Pico de Gallo
Ingredients:
- 1 lb tomatoes – diced
- ½ red onion – diced
- ½ fresh jalapeño – finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro – chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Salt – to taste
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Adjust seasonings as necessary.
- Keep refrigerated.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Want to bring this level of culinary expertise to your next event? Contact Vibrant Occasions to discover how Chef Serge and our team can create memorable dining experiences tailored to your special occasion.