Lucas Delgado
Chicken fajitas are a classic Mexican dish, and the seasoning you use can make or break the dish. While store-bought fajita seasoning is convenient, making your own allows you to control the ingredients and their quantities, ensuring a bold, vibrant, and authentic flavor. The seasoning should be robust, but not too spicy, with a tangy kick from fresh lime juice. A simple blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper can elevate your chicken fajitas, making them taste even better than restaurant-style fajitas.
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What You'll Learn
Homemade fajita seasoning
Fajita seasoning is incredibly easy to make at home and is perfect for all your fajita recipes, including chicken, shrimp, steak, and vegetables. It is also versatile and can be used in non-traditional ways to make dishes like Chicken Fajita Cauliflower Pizza, Chicken Fajitas Melts, or Fajita Quesadillas.
Making your own spice blends at home is cheaper in the long run and allows you to control the ingredients for particular dietary restrictions like low sodium diets. You can also adjust the flavor to your liking. For example, if you want a spicy fajita seasoning, just add more chili powder or cayenne pepper.
A typical recipe for fajita seasoning will make about 2 tablespoons, which is enough to season 3 chicken breasts or 1 pound of protein. You can easily double, triple, or quadruple the recipe to make a larger batch. Here is a simple recipe for homemade fajita seasoning:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of chili powder (dark or regular, depending on your preference)
- 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt (or half a teaspoon of table salt)
- 1 teaspoon of oregano (fresh, if possible)
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (optional)
Instructions:
Stir all the spices together in a bowl. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months to one year. To use, simply sprinkle the desired amount of seasoning on both sides of your protein of choice and use your fingers to press it in before cooking.
Tips:
- If you want to make a fajita marinade, combine three tablespoons of the mix with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.
- For a quick tanginess, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to your fajitas instead of using store-bought seasonings that contain citric acid.
- You can switch up the proteins and use chicken, beef, shrimp, or vegetables with this versatile seasoning.
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Store-bought fajita seasoning
One popular brand offering fajita seasoning is McCormick®, whose 1.12 oz (6-pack) seasoning mix promises "restaurant-style fajitas" with a robust flavour. Their blend includes cumin, chilli peppers, garlic, and a hint of lime juice, which can be used with chicken, beef, or shrimp. The preparation is simple: combine one packet of the mix with a pound of meat and cook it on a stovetop with oil. You can then fill your tortillas with the seasoned protein and add toppings like shredded lettuce, guacamole, avocado slices, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, or salsa.
Another option is the Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning Mix, a zesty blend of spices and seasonings that adds a Mexican-inspired flair to your fajitas. This mix can be used with chicken, beef, bell peppers, and onions, and is versatile enough to be included in casseroles, appetizers, or party snacks. The brand also provides simple instructions on the package, guiding you through the process of adding the seasonings during cooking.
Bolner's Fiesta Brand Fajita Seasoning is another store-bought option, featuring a blend of salt, garlic, onion, and Mexican-style spices. This seasoning is perfect for those who want to add an authentic touch to their fajitas. The recommended preparation method is to season your meat of choice, let it rest for 30 minutes, and then sear it over high heat.
While store-bought fajita seasoning offers convenience, some people may prefer to make their own seasoning blends to avoid additives and control the flavour profile more precisely. Homemade seasoning recipes often include spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and chilli powder, allowing for customisation to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences. Ultimately, the choice between store-bought and homemade fajita seasoning depends on your personal preferences, time constraints, and desired level of customisation.
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Chicken fajita marinade
Chicken fajitas are a classic Mexican dish that is easy to make and full of flavour. While you can buy fajita seasoning in stores, making your own marinade at home is simple, and allows you to control the ingredients and their quantities.
A chicken fajita marinade can be made with a variety of spices and ingredients. One recipe suggests using two teaspoons of chilli powder, two teaspoons of ground cumin, one teaspoon of garlic powder, half a teaspoon of paprika, half a teaspoon of oregano, half a teaspoon of kosher salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper. The spices should be mixed together in a bowl, and then the chicken should be added and tossed until it is coated evenly. The chicken can then be seared in a skillet or grilled for a smoky flavour.
Another recipe suggests using corn starch to thicken the marinade into a sauce, and emulsifying olive oil and rice vinegar with Dijon mustard to create a thick paste, to which the spices are added. This recipe also uses lime juice as the liquid, and soy sauce.
Other recipes suggest using smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, or olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic.
The benefit of making your own chicken fajita marinade is that you can adjust the flavour to your personal preference, and omit any ingredients you don't like. You can also control the amount of salt and sugar in your marinade, and avoid additives and fillers that are often found in store-bought packets.
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$32.9 $34.79
Grilling the chicken
Prepare the Chicken
Start by choosing the right cut of chicken. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for fajitas, but you can also use chicken thighs for an even juicier option. Ensure the chicken is cleaned and patted dry before proceeding with the seasoning.
Seasoning the Chicken
Fajita seasoning is a blend of spices that gives the chicken a unique, savory taste. You can make your own fajita seasoning by mixing spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Combine the spices in a bowl, and then generously sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the chicken. Use your fingers to press the seasoning into the meat and ensure an even coating.
Alternatively, you can create a paste by mixing the seasoning with a small amount of oil. Rub this paste evenly over the chicken, ensuring every piece is well-coated. This technique is especially useful if you are using chicken breast strips or thinner cuts of meat.
Marinating the Chicken
Once the chicken is seasoned, it is best to let it marinate. Cover the seasoned chicken and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. You can even prepare and refrigerate the chicken up to a day in advance, ensuring the flavours have ample time to develop.
When you are ready to cook, heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil to the pan to prevent the chicken from sticking. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until well-browned and blackened in spots. The chicken should be cooked through, with an internal temperature of at least 165ºF. This process should take approximately 7 to 10 minutes per side.
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a clean cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, slice the chicken into strips or pieces that will fit nicely into your fajitas.
Final Touches
Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and add the final touches. Squeeze some fresh lime juice over the chicken, giving it a tangy flavour and enhancing the other seasonings. You can also add some sliced bell peppers and onions to the pan, cooking them until they are softened and browned. The vegetables will soak up the flavours left behind by the chicken, creating a cohesive and tasty dish.
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Seasoning before cooking
Seasoning chicken fajitas is an important step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and depth to the dish. While store-bought fajita seasoning is available, making your own seasoning is easy and allows you to control the ingredients and their quantities. This is especially useful if you are catering to specific dietary requirements, such as reducing sodium intake.
A typical fajita seasoning consists of a blend of spices, including chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Some recipes may also call for additional ingredients such as lime juice, olive oil, or soy sauce. The spices are combined and mixed, creating a dry rub that can be generously applied to both sides of the chicken. This ensures an even coating of seasoning before the chicken is cooked.
When making your own fajita seasoning, you can adjust the quantities of each spice to suit your taste preferences. For example, you might prefer a smokier flavour profile, in which case you could add smoked paprika and additional cumin. You can also experiment with different types of salt, such as kosher salt, and include ingredients like corn starch to thicken the sauce.
In addition to the spice blend, fresh lime juice is often squeezed over the cooked chicken fajitas. This adds a tangy and bright flavour that complements the spices and enhances the overall taste of the dish.
By making your own fajita seasoning, you can create a bold and vibrant flavour profile that elevates the dish. The seasoning can be made in larger batches and stored in an airtight container for future use, ensuring that you always have a delicious and homemade option on hand.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken fajita seasoning typically consists of cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. You can also add in some chili powder, garlic powder, and lime juice.
Homemade fajita seasoning is typically recommended as it allows you to control the ingredients and their quantities. It also tastes fresher and bolder, and you can make it in larger batches to use throughout the year.
The general rule is 1.5 teaspoons of seasoning per pound of meat. You can also add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat for additional seasoning.
Both are great options! A dry rub is perfect if you're looking for a quick and easy option that flavors the chicken well. A marinade will give you delicious results but requires more preparation time as you need to let the chicken sit in the marinade for several hours or overnight.
Yes, you can definitely season the chicken before cooking it. This is a great way to ensure the seasoning coats all sides of the chicken evenly.
