Chicken Fajitas: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

Chicken fajitas are a popular dish, but are they keto-friendly? The answer is yes, but with some modifications. The traditional flour tortillas are often replaced with low-carb alternatives such as lettuce wraps, coconut wraps, or keto-friendly tortillas. The chicken is usually boneless and skinless, cut into thin strips and seasoned with a variety of spices and homemade or store-bought fajita or taco seasoning mixes. This dish is typically cooked in a skillet or baked in an oven and is often served with a variety of toppings and sides, such as avocado, guacamole, sour cream, and low-carb cauliflower rice.

Chicken fajitas with keto wraps or tortillas

Chicken fajitas are a great option for a keto meal. They are easy to make and can be prepared in under 30 minutes. To make chicken fajitas keto-friendly, simply skip the flour tortillas and serve the fajita mixture over a bed of lettuce or cauliflower rice, or use keto-friendly wraps or tortillas.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 Roma tomato, quartered and seeded (optional)
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• Keto wraps or tortillas of your choice (such as coconut wraps or low-carb tortillas)

Instructions:

• Heat a 10" or larger cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
• Season the chicken strips with taco seasoning. Working in batches, add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.
• Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• Add the remaining avocado oil and butter to the skillet.
• Add the onion, bell peppers, and optional jalapeño or serrano pepper, and tomato to the skillet.
• Season with additional taco seasoning to taste. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 7-10 minutes.
• Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and warm through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Heat your chosen keto wraps or tortillas according to the package instructions.
• Serve the fajita mixture on the wraps or tortillas with desired toppings such as sour cream, avocado slices, lime wedges, and pico de gallo.

Enjoy your delicious and keto-friendly chicken fajitas!

Chicken fajitas with cauliflower rice

Chicken fajitas are a great keto-friendly meal option, and you can make them even more keto-compliant by serving them with cauliflower rice instead of the traditional rice or tortillas. Here's a detailed recipe for chicken fajitas with cauliflower rice that's not only keto-friendly but also full of flavour.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange)
• Onion
• Olive oil
• Spices (chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper)
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Cauliflower
• Cheese (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)
• Avocado (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables

Slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken breasts or thighs, whichever you prefer.

Cut the bell peppers and onion into thin strips or slices. You can use any combination of bell peppers, but using multiple colours adds a nice rainbow effect.

Step 2: Make the Fajita Seasoning

Combine the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. You can adjust the amounts of each spice to your taste preferences.

Step 3: Marinate the Chicken

In a separate bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, and the fajita seasoning. You can also add a brown sugar substitute or fresh cilantro to the marinade for extra flavour.

Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and coat them evenly. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You can use a cast-iron skillet or a non-stick pan.

Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and slightly charred, stirring occasionally. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. You can also add some of the leftover marinade to the vegetables for extra flavour. Cook until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred, about 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare the Cauliflower Rice

While the chicken and vegetables are cooking, prepare the cauliflower rice according to the package directions. You can either buy riced cauliflower from the store or rice your own cauliflower using a food processor or grater.

Heat some olive oil in a separate skillet and add the cauliflower rice. Cook until tender, stirring often, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 6: Assemble the Dish

Once everything is cooked, it's time to assemble the dish. Place a bed of cauliflower rice on a plate and top with the chicken and vegetables.

You can also add some sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice on top for garnish. If you like, you can also add some shredded cheese and sour cream on the side.

And there you have it! A delicious and keto-friendly chicken fajita dish with cauliflower rice. This recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavours of Mexico while sticking to your keto diet.

Chicken fajitas with lettuce

Chicken fajitas are a great option for a quick, tasty, and keto-friendly meal. Here's a detailed guide on how to make delicious chicken fajitas with lettuce, including ingredients, preparation, cooking instructions, and serving suggestions.

Ingredients:

• Chicken: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into thin strips.
• Vegetables: Bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange) and onions thinly sliced. You can also add jalapeños or serrano peppers for extra spice.
• Oil: Avocado oil or olive oil for cooking.
• Butter: Unsalted butter for added flavour and richness.
• Spices: Taco seasoning or a homemade fajita seasoning mix (chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper).
• Fresh Herbs: Cilantro for a fresh herby taste.
• Lime: For a zesty twist.
• Optional: Avocado slices, sour cream, guacamole, and shredded cheese for serving.

Preparation:

• Marinade: Combine the chicken with a fajita seasoning mix, cilantro, lime juice, and oil. Let it sit while preparing the vegetables.
• Vegetables: Slice the onions and bell peppers. You can also add sliced jalapeños or serranos if you like it spicy.

Cooking Instructions:

• Heat a cast-iron skillet or a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Add oil and butter to the pan.
• Sauté the onions until softened and fragrant.
• Add the bell peppers and sprinkle with fajita seasoning. Cook until they reach your desired texture.
• In the same pan, brown the chicken strips. You can also season the chicken with taco seasoning for extra flavour.
• Once the chicken is cooked through, return the vegetables to the pan and mix well.
• Squeeze some lime juice over the chicken and vegetables.

Serving:

• Lettuce Wraps: Serve the chicken fajita mixture on a bed of lettuce leaves. You can use iceberg lettuce or butter lettuce for a crisp and refreshing wrap.
• Toppings: Add your favourite toppings such as avocado slices, sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
• Sides: Pair your fajitas with keto-friendly sides like cauliflower rice, street-style roasted cauliflower, or keto salad.

Chicken fajitas with avocado or guacamole

Chicken fajitas are a great keto-friendly option for a quick and tasty meal. The chicken is typically seasoned with a mix of spices and served with vegetables such as bell peppers and onions. To make it keto-friendly, simply skip the tortillas and serve the fajita mixture over a bed of lettuce or cauliflower rice, or use low-carb tortilla alternatives.

Now, let's talk about adding avocado or guacamole to your chicken fajitas. Avocado and guacamole are excellent sources of healthy fats and can add a creamy texture and delicious flavour to your keto chicken fajitas. Here's a recipe for chicken fajitas with guacamole that serves four people:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 white onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (adjust to your preference for spice)
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 8 flour or corn tortillas
• 2 to 3 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 ounces of crumbled cheese (such as Ranchero Queso Fresco or Pueblo Lindo Cotija)
• 2 limes, quartered
• 1/2 white onion, quartered
• 1 jalapeño, halved
• 6 tomatillos
• 3 Hass avocados, halved and pitted

Method:

• Prepare the marinade by combining olive oil, chili powder, ground cumin, ground cayenne pepper, ground coriander, and kosher salt in a sealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and shake to coat. Place the bag in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.
• Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a medium skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken, sliced bell peppers, and onion. Sauté until cooked, tossing everything together occasionally, for about 10 to 12 minutes. Adjust the salt to taste.
• To make the tomatillo guacamole, preheat the broiler. Place the white onion, jalapeño, and tomatillos on a quarter baking sheet or baking dish. Broil for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until charred. Let the ingredients cool, then core and chop them. Transfer the mixture to a blender, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and pulse until smooth.
• In a bowl, add the avocados and smash them with a fork until smooth. Add the tomatillo mixture and lime juice, then mix well. Adjust the salt to taste.
• Divide the chicken among the tortillas and top with a generous dollop of tomatillo guacamole, a few slices of radishes, and a small handful of crumbled cheese.
• If you don't have tortillas, you can make fajita bowls by serving the fajita mixture over rice with lettuce, sour cream, shredded cheese, and salsa.
• Enjoy your delicious and keto-friendly chicken fajitas with avocado or guacamole!

Chicken fajitas with cheese

Chicken fajitas are a great option for a keto meal, and you can easily add cheese to the recipe to make it even more delicious and keto-friendly. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to making keto chicken fajitas with cheese:

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Butter (optional)
• Medium onion, thinly sliced
• Bell peppers (green, red, yellow, orange)
• Taco seasoning or fajita seasoning (check for keto-friendly options)
• Spices: chili powder, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime juice
• Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or cheddar)
• Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, avocado slices, jalapenos, tomatoes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (or use a stovetop method).
• Cut the chicken and veggies (onion, bell peppers) into thin strips.
• In a large bowl, combine olive oil, spices, and fajita seasoning. You can also add the lime juice and cilantro to the marinade.
• Add the chicken and veggies to the bowl and coat them with the seasoning mixture.
• Spread the fajita mixture on a greased sheet pan in a single layer. You may need two pans depending on their size.
• Bake for 11 minutes, then stir and return to the oven for another 11 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Check the temperature of the chicken to ensure it's cooked (165°F).
• If you want a crispy finish, turn on the broiler for a minute or two, watching closely to avoid burning.
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle with lime juice and chopped cilantro.
• Serve on a bed of mixed greens and top with shredded cheese. Add your favorite keto-friendly toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, avocado, jalapenos, tomatoes.
• Enjoy your cheesy keto chicken fajitas!

Tips and Variations:

• You can use a cast-iron skillet or stovetop method instead of baking.
• For a one-pan meal, mix all the ingredients on the pan and bake.
• If you prefer juicier chicken, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
• You can also use steak, shrimp, salmon, or white fish instead of chicken.
• To make it even cheesier, add some shredded cheese to the fajita mixture before baking.
• For a keto-friendly side dish, serve with cauliflower rice or keto wraps.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Frequently asked questions