Easy Fajita Spice Mix (Gluten Free) and Chicken / Beef Fajitas Recipe

Delicious with Chicken or Beef and Peppers!

Want to knock up your own tasty fajita spice mix in seconds, and know what's in it?

This is my delicious fajita spice mix, similar to commercial brands which you simply sprinkle over your chicken (or beef) strips and stir in just before you cook it - no need to marinate, and you just stir together the spices. It couldn't be more simple, and you know what's in it!

If you don't have onion powder or garlic powder, no problem, you just grate fresh garlic and onion onto the chicken (or beef) and stir in before you add the spice mix, and it tastes just as great either way!

This makes enough to make a generous serving for four people (using 640g chicken cut into 1/4 inch strips, 3 red/orange/yellow peppers, and two small-medium onions - see below for instructions how to use). Easy to double (or more) and store. This quantity makes about 5 x 15ml tbsp, so if you make a big batch, just measure this out for a 4 person serving.

Ingredients for Fajita Spice Mix

• 1/2 a 15ml tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp plain chilli powder (not the stuff with added cumin and salt etc. use mild if you don't want it too spicy)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (mild)
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder - or 2 cloves garlic*
• 1/2 tsp onion powder - or 1 small red onion*

*If cooking gluten free for coeliacs ensure the garlic and onion powders are gluten free (as are all the other spices). Check allergy information on the packets for 'may contain' warnings.

Method
Mix together all of the dry ingredient thoroughly. Store any spare in an airtight jar or container. If using fresh garlic and onion, grate finely and add to the chicken or beef and mix, before adding the spice mix, and combining thoroughly. See below for full ingredients and instructions to make fajitas for four.

How to make your fajitas...

To Make Fajita Filling

• 640g chicken breasts (or beef steak of choice), cut into 1/4 inch thick strips
• 3 bell peppers (mixed colours), cut into strips
• 2 small red (or white) onions, cut into slices
• 1 quantity Fajita spice mix
• Oil

To Serve

• Soft tortillas (approx 2 large, or 4 small per person - Sainsbury's currently sell Old El Paso Mexicana Street Market White Corn Tortillas which are gluten free)

and your choice of

• Tomato salsa - you can make your own simple fresh salsa for 17 calories a portion from my recipe here
• Guacamole
• Sour cream (or use 0% Greek yoghurt if you want to cut calories)
• Grated cheese
• Shredded crispy lettuce
• Sliced or diced fresh tomatoes, avocado (toss in lemon or lime juice to prevent browning), red onions (nice just sliced soaked in a little vinegar with a pinch of sugar and salt while prepping the other ingredients)

Method to cook fajita filling

1. Prepare and set aside toppings for fajitas, if making (i.e. salsa, guacamole etc.). Prepare filling ingredients, and toss chicken or beef with the fajita seasoning mix.

2. Heat a large, non-stick pan (a good wok works well), and once it is hot, add the oil, swirl around then add the onions and peppers and cook over a high heat, moving them around until they're just starting to char in a few places, but still firm, then set aside.

3. Add a little extra oil if needed, then add the fajita-seasoned meat strips, and toss until almost cooked (if you like your steak/beef pink, then very briefly over a high heat), and add the cooked peppers and onions back to the pan and mix through. 

4. If making beef / steak fajitas, serve immediately (check a piece to make sure it's cooked to your liking), if using chicken toss together for a couple of minutes, then check a couple of the largest pieces of chicken for done-ness. Warm tortillas as per the pack instructions when ready to serve, and allow people to help themselves to tortillas, filling and toppings. I like to keep my filling and tortillas on top of a food warmer so everyone can enjoy at their leisure!