If you're looking for a simple, delicious, and healthy meal that the whole family will love, look no further than Keto Chicken Fajitas. This easy recipe can be customized to fit various dietary needs, including keto, paleo, Whole30, and gluten-free diets. These fajitas are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be served in various ways to suit everyone's preferences.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Keto Chicken Fajitas have become a family favorite for several reasons:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe requires minimal prep time and cooks in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- One-Pan Dish: The entire meal can be made on a single sheet pan or in a skillet, reducing cleanup time.
- Customizable: The fajitas can be served in multiple ways, such as in bowls with cauliflower rice, on salads, or in grain-free tortillas, catering to different dietary needs.
- Healthy and Delicious: Made with fresh ingredients and a homemade fajita seasoning mix, this recipe is a healthier alternative to store-bought fajita packets that often contain gluten, MSG, and additives.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will enjoy this flavorful and versatile dish.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make Keto Chicken Fajitas:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: About one pound, sliced into thin strips. Dark meat can be used if preferred.
- Bell Peppers: A mix of red, yellow, and green peppers for a colorful presentation, sliced into thin strips.
- Onion: One yellow or white onion, sliced similarly to the peppers.
- Lime Juice: The star of the chicken fajita marinade.
- Olive Oil: A good quality fat for the marinade and cooking the vegetables.
- Spices: Cumin, red chili powder, salt, and garlic powder. Adjust the amount of red chili powder to control the level of heat.
- Optional Toppings: Fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, avocados, fresh jalapeño, lime wedges, sautéed mushrooms, and cheese.
Making Your Own Fajita Seasoning
Many store-bought fajita seasoning packets contain gluten, MSG, and other additives. Making your own fajita seasoning is easy, cost-effective, and allows you to control the ingredients. Here's a simple recipe:
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here are two popular methods for making Keto Chicken Fajitas:
Sheet Pan Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the chicken and vegetables: Slice the chicken, peppers, and onion into thin strips (about 1/4-1/2 inch wide). Ensure the chicken pieces are of even thickness to prevent uneven cooking.
- Marinate the chicken and vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the sliced chicken and peppers. Add the olive oil and spices. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Spread on a sheet pan: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly on the sheet pan.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and beginning to brown.
- Broil (optional): For extra browning, turn the oven to broil for the last minute or two, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve in tortillas, on top of a salad, or in a rice bowl with your favorite toppings.
Skillet Method
- Marinate the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken strips with lime juice, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, cumin, salt, and chili powder. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking hot. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan. Add the chicken and cook on both sides until charred and cooked through. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the onion and peppers to the same pan. Add more oil if needed. Cook for 1-2 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Toss to combine and heat through. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
Keto Chicken Fajitas are incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways to suit different dietary preferences:
- Keto/Low Carb: Serve in a bowl with cauliflower rice, salsa, guacamole, and dairy-free ranch.
- Paleo: Use grain-free tortillas or serve on a salad with avocado and salsa.
- Whole30: Serve in a bowl with cauliflower rice, avocado, and salsa.
- Gluten-Free: Use corn tortillas.
- Traditional: Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, and pico de gallo.
Tips and Variations
- Prep Ahead: Cut up all of the vegetables the night before to save time.
- Adjust Seasoning: Adjust the fajita seasoning to your liking. Extra red chili powder will give it more spice. You can also use your favorite store-bought fajita seasoning if preferred.
- Don't Over-Marinate: Chicken can change texture if left to marinate in citrus for too long. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours.
- Make Extra: Double the recipe and save leftovers for lunch meal prep.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add Heat: Add fresh jalapeño to the skillet with the bell peppers for extra heat.
- Other Vegetables: Feel free to add other low-carb vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Other Proteins: Try steak strips or shrimp instead of chicken.
- Cheese: Add your favorite cheese to the fajitas.
- Keto Queso: Pour keto queso over chicken fajitas on a bed of lettuce.
Freezing and Storing Instructions
- Refrigerate: Chicken fajitas can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: To freeze, place the cooked chicken, veggies, and any remaining spice/oil mixture into a gallon freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for 2-3 months.
Nutritional Information
A serving of Keto Chicken Fajitas (chicken, peppers, and onions) without tortillas contains approximately:
- Calories: Varies depending on ingredients and serving size
- Net Carbs: 4 grams
- Fiber: 8 grams
- Total Carbs: 12 grams
Note: All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. They may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto