How to Make Fajitas (Chicken or Beef)

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Fajitas are an easy weekday meal that will please the whole family. These chicken or beef fajitas are healthy, quick and satisfyingly good.

beef fajitas
how to make fajitas

We make fajitas at home all the time. It’s one of the easiest meals to make and everyone’s happy. I don’t use a packet of spices to season these fajitas. Instead I make a spice blend that is way more flavorful, without the sugar and other flavoring agents that are used in the big name brands.

With this recipe, you can make steak fajitas or chicken fajita. The dry rub marinade is the same.

» You might like this recipe for The Best Verde Wet Burrito.

Ingredients You Need

  • Cooking oil – For sautéing the protein and veggies. Use something with a neutral flavor so that it doesn’t overpower the food.
  • Chicken or beef – Whichever protein you use will need to be cut into strips. Be sure to choose a high-quality beef cut, like sirloin steak, so the pieces aren’t tough.
  • Bell peppers – We always use a combinations of red, yellow, and green. Cut into strips
  • Onion – Yellow onion works best. It adds some sweetness. You can use white onion as well.
  • Flour tortillas
  • Garnish – Cilantro, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, and hot sauce.
beef fajitas recipe

Chicken or Beef Fajitas

Fajitas, with homemade fajita seasoning, are a fast and simple dinner that can be made as healthy as you want it to be.
4.71 from 17 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 fajitas
Calories: 176kcal
Author: Laura Lynch

Ingredients

For the fajita seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) seasoned salt table salt is also okay
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.75 g) garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) brown sugar optional

For the fajitas

  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooking oil
  • 1 pound (454 g) chicken or beef cut into strips
  • 1 each green red, orange bell peppers, cut into strips
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • 1 small bunch cilantro chopped
  • Shredded cheese sour cream, hot sauce for topping (optional)

Instructions

For the fajita seasoning

  • Mix together all of the spices. This recipe makes just enough for one batch of fajitas. You can make more by doubling or tripling the recipe.

For the Fajitas

  • Season the vegetables and meat strips, separately, with salt and pepper.
  • Add half the cooking oil to a large skillet on medium high heat. Add the meat and cook for 5-8 minutes. When it’s almost cooked through, add 2 teaspoons of the seasoning. Mix well. Once the meat is cooked through, remove it from the pan.
  • Add the remaining cooking oil to the skillet. Add the vegetables and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so the vegetables don’t burn. Add the remaining seasoning to the vegetables and mix together well.
  • Add the meat back to the skillet and mix it all together. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Serve the fajita filling on flour tortillas. Top with your choice of condiments (cheese, hot sauce, cilantro, sour cream).

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg

How to Make Fajita Seasoning

A lot of the flavor in these fajitas comes from the seasoning. I never use a packet of seasoning because they add so many extra things. If you make it yourself, you will always have it on hand when you need it, and it only contains the spices you put in it.

I mix up a fresh batch of seasoning every time I make fajitas. You can mix a large batch and keep it in a container, for ease. You don’t need much to season a skillet of fajitas for four people.

Fajitas Seasoning Mix

For the seasoning you’ll need these spices (see the recipe for quantities):

  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Oregano
  • Seasoned Salt
  • Pepper
  • Brown sugar (optional)

You can actually leave out one or two of the spices if you don’t have it on hand and the seasoning is still pretty legit. The only things you really can’t leave out are the chili powder and the cumin.

We’ve also got a great recipe for taco seasoning. It’s very similar. Super tasty.

beef fajitas recipe

What to Serve With Fajitas

One of the best side dishes to serve with fajitas, in my opinion, will always be refried beans with cheese. If you’re not a fan of beans, you can pair it with a tomato cucumber salad or Mexican grilled corn.

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5 thoughts on “How to Make Fajitas (Chicken or Beef)

  1. Sherri says:

    2 stars
    These fajitas spices are the bomb.com!!!!! My first time ever making fajitas! I just picked a random recipe in hopes that it would be a good! Hot damn I hit jackpot! Even my other half said they were phenomenal! There you have it.

    • Sherri says:

      5 stars
      My original rating was suppose to show 5 stars! These fajitas spices are the bomb.com!!!!! My first time ever making fajitas! I just picked a random recipe in hopes that it would be a good! Hot damn I hit jackpot! Even my other half said they were phenomenal! There you have it.

      • Angela Morris says:

        We are so happy that you and your other half liked it Sherry! Thanks for the glowing review.

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