Fajita is one of the very famous Mexican dishes. It is a non-vegetarian dish but there are now vegetarian versions also available for us. We can say chicken or beef plays a key role in this dish. It can be a good source of protein and other vitamins because it has a lot of vegetables with it. Instead of its great nutritive value wouldn’t it be great if we served some mouthwatering side wishes with the fajitas? Let’s talk all about fajitas and answer the question of what to eat with fajitas.
Fajitas are Mexican and it typical Mexican spices in them. Typically only grilled chicken or pork is being used to make it and it continues. If you have a grilled then you can make it by yourself because the ingredients in a fajita are not complex and they are also easily available. Anyone can buy good quality chicken or beef from their nearest market and vegetables like peppers and onions are also easy to find.
If you want to learn the recipe for some very fun and easy side dishes for the next time you make fajitas then read this article till the end. This article will also give you the correct recipe to make fajitas by yourself and everyone around you will love it. If you are worried about your kids then you should know fajitas are safe for kids as long as the chicken the fully cooked. Now let’s begin our talk of fajitas.
1. What Are Fajitas?
As we have talked in the introduction of this article fajitas are a Mexican dish but there is a lot more to it that you should know. Fajitas has a lot of flavors along with the juiciness of the chicken or beef. It is very important to cook the chicken at the exact temperature and for the exact amount of time.
You can’t call any chicken a fajita but the chicken needs to be grilled on the griller along with some vegetables. Every ingredient on the grill should be cut into strips and there is no exception for vegetables too.
The vegetables should also be cut in strips and they should have the same width. Once all your ingredients are ready start grilling them on the griller and remember a griller has different temperatures on all different spots. The spot with the highest temperature would be suitable for cooking your chicken or pork. While grilling always keep an eye on the ingredients because they can get burned very quickly.
2. What Seasonings To Use In Fajitas
The seasonings in fajitas are usually strong to enhance the tenderness of the chicken or beef. If someone doesn’t eat spicy food then they can also ask for fewer spices. Fajitas have Mexican spices to give it an authentic taste. We usually put chili powder along with some salt and paprika.
If you can then add finely chopped garlic otherwise just use the garlic powder. You can also add sugar granules in the seasoning to balance all the flavors together.
If someone likes pepper powder then add that too because it will only enhance the existing flavors. It is not necessary to use only these ingredients you can always add and subtract seasonings according to your personal preferences. You can use some other type of salt instead of ordinary salt. Green chili paste can be a replacement for red chili powder.
3. How To Make Fajitas
Fajitas can be very delicious if you are willing to use the appropriate recipe. You can start by buying the chicken or beef. If you can afford high-quality chicken then buy that because it can make your fajitas very tender and juicy.
Do the preparations by cutting the chicken into thin long slices along with some vegetables like pepper and onion. Also, take out all the necessary spices on one side of the cooking counter. Start by marinating the chicken with some salt, lemon juice and pepper.
Now cover it with some plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for a few hours. If you don’t have a griller then you can use the skillet. Pour some regular oil into the skillet and let it heat for a few seconds. After this, you can add the chopped onion to it and cook it until you get caramelized onion.
When the onion is perfected cooked you can add the pepper to it and stir fry them. Please keep in mind to cook them separately and when the pepper is cooked add the onion back to the pan.
Now add the chicken strips along with all the seasonings like salt, garlic powder, chili powder, and paprika. Cook everything for a few minutes basically until the chicken is completely cooked and when it’s done you can serve it in the same skillet. Fajitas are always served when all the ingredients of the dish are sizzling.
4. Different Types of Fajitas
As a dish travels all around the world it changes many times all the time and in this process, many different recipes emerge. In this section, we will tell you about all the different kinds of fajitas available and the proper recipe to make them at home with ease.
4.01 Chicken Fajitas
This is the easiest fajita recipe because it is the basic one. Almost everyone who eats chicken knows the correct way to marinate it so that it will get tender and soft when we cook it. It is important to prepare the chicken beforehand because if we do not do this then the chicken will stay tight and have a rubbery texture.
Lemon juice or vinegar can help you to soften the chicken in a shorter time than any other component. Once your chicken is ready follow the same recipe we have mentioned above and you will end up looking the best fajita ever.
4.02 Shrimp Fajitas
You can start by cleaning your shrimp carefully and also make sure to buy medium-sized shrimps for the best taste and tender texture. Once the shrimps get ready marinate them in some lemon juice and vinegar and put it in the fridge for about two to three hours.
Now cut the vegetables into strips which you want to use with your shrimp fajitas. Once everything is done take out your skillet and put it on the stove. Now stir fry the vegetables and then add the chicken. You can add spices at the same time you add the chicken.
When it is cooked serve it with some tortilla chips because they go perfectly with fajitas. We will talk about some dishes that taste delicious with fajitas in the next section of this article.
5. Some Mouthwatering Side Dishes With Fajitas
Fajitas have a salty and spicy flavor so a lot of different things taste with them. In this section, we will share some side dishes with the easiest recipe.
5.01 Mexican Street Corn
There is a special way to make Mexican street corn and that is to use a cobb. We have to grill the whole corn in the cobb but if you don’t want to dirty your hands eating it then plug all the corn out of its structure. When the corn is grilled take a bowl and make a sauce with some sour cream, mayonnaise, black pepper, and lemon juice. If you want then also add some lemon zest and mix everything.
Now apply the cream to the grilled corn and serve it. If you want to add some more creaminess then apply some butter on the corn then it is still warm. The Mexican street corn can add the element of creamy texture to your fajitas. Put some lime wedges on the sides too.
5.02 Refried Beans
Refried beans are usually served with Mexican dishes because they help to enhance their flavors while being so healthy. To start take some beans and soak them in water until they are ready to cook or you can have the hassle and buy the canned beans from the store.
Now take some onion and finely chop them. Take a pan put some olive oil in it and wait until warm to cook. It is good to use the best quality oil for the well-being of your family. Now you can add the onion to the pan and let it cook until it is caramelized.
Now add the beans with some water and spices like salt and pepper and let it cook. Close the lid to decrease the cooking time. Once ready you can serve it with your fajitas in the same bowl or take a separate bowl.
5.03 Cilantro Lime Rice
For this recipe, you are free to use any rice but white rice might be the best option. When you cook plain rice you usually add some salt and oil to it but this time try to add some lime too. First, pour the olive oil into the cooker, and after this pour the soaked rice.
Now fry them for some time and then add some water with one or two lime wedges and let it cook. Once they are cooked take them out and mix some lemon juice and chopped cilantro with it and serve. If you like mild flavors then it can be a very good side dish.
5.04 Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips can go perfectly with spicy fajitas because they have a very cheesy and lemony flavor. The tortilla chips that are available in the market are fine but if you want to make them on your own then to have to figure out the perfect recipe.
If you like the flavor of corn then try the corn tortillas, they are delicious. Just take them out of the packet and serve as a side dish with fajitas. You can also opt to add some cream cheese and cottage cheese on top of the tortilla chips.
5.05 Pico De Gallo
This recipe is really easy and it is similar to a salsa in some ways. Start by cutting the tomato and putting some salt in it. This process can take out the excess juice of the tomato and make sure to use the ripe tomatoes.
Cut some onion, jalapeno, and coriander, and squeeze out some lemon juice. Make sure that it doesn’t have too much water in it and mix everything. Add some seasonings too and serve it with your fajitas. They can add the element of freshness as a side dish to your fajitas.
5.06 Spanish Rice
This is easy to make as you only need some rice and spinach to make it. It also doesn’t have a lot of spices. First, cook your rice and cook some spinach in a separate pot.
When the spinach is done boiling quickly add it to the ice water to quickly stop the cooking. Now make the puree out of the spinach mix it well with the cooked rice and add your spices. Now it is read to be served as a side for your fajitas.
5.07 Smoky Chorizo Sausage
Smoky chorizo sausage has multiple flavors. It will be a good choice if you like flavorful dishes. People can simply purchase them from the supermarket or they can try to make them at home.
Its recipe is a little complex because it needs a lot of spices and the process is also not that easy. Overall you can cook them with some butter and serve them with your fajitas.
6. Final Note
We talked about fajitas and they are Mexican. There are many side dishes to enjoy with fajitas. Although the fajitas have a very flavorful taste and are very tender it is good to try new things. We talked about how there is more than one type of fajitas available for everyone all around the world to try.
Tortilla chips are the best thing to ever try with your fajitas and it is great that they come in many different flavors. Corn can also be a good side dish when it comes to the fajitas.
