KETO CHICKEN FAJITA SKILLET
A vibrant one-pan dinner ready in 30 minutes
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- Calories: 385 per serving
- Fat: 22g
- Protein: 42g
- Net Carbs: 6g
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large skillet or cast-iron pan (12-inch recommended)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Meat thermometer (optional)
INGREDIENTS
Protein & Vegetables:
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, sliced into ½-inch strips (680g)
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced (about 450g)
- 1 medium onion, sliced (about 150g)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (30ml)
Seasoning Mix:
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh lime wedges
- Sliced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
METHOD
-
- Mix all seasonings in a small bowl
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp oil
- Add chicken strips, cook for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C
-
- Remove chicken, set aside
- Add remaining oil and vegetables to the same pan
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp with slight char marks
- Return chicken to pan, add seasoning mix
- Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes until well combined and heated through
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Slice chicken against the grain for tenderness
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed
- Let pan get properly hot before adding chicken
- Keep vegetables slightly crisp – don’t overcook
STORAGE & REHEATING
- Keeps in fridge: 3-4 days
- Freeze: Up to 2 months
- Reheat: Skillet preferred over microwave
COMMON MISTAKES
- Using cold chicken straight from fridge
- Overcooking the vegetables
- Not letting pan get hot enough
- Stirring too frequently
VARIATIONS
- Protein swap: Use shrimp (cook 2-3 minutes per side)
- Spice level: Add cayenne or fresh jalapeños
- Low-oxalate: Skip bell peppers, use zucchini instead
- Vegetarian: Substitute chicken with mushrooms
NET CARBS BREAKDOWN
- Bell peppers: 4g per serving
- Onion: 2g per serving
- Seasonings: Trace amounts
This recipe delivers restaurant-quality fajitas while keeping it strictly keto. The key is getting that perfect char on both chicken and vegetables while maintaining the meat’s juiciness.
