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Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Skillet Shrimp Fajitas are a quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired dish featuring juicy, seasoned shrimp sautéed with vibrant bell peppers and onions. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-skillet meal delivers a perfect balance of zest, sweetness, and tenderness, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings for a festive, satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Seasoning

  • 1 lb medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 each red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 each yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 each green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Warm flour or corn tortillas, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the shrimp and veggies: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Slice the bell peppers and onions into thin strips and mince the garlic.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced peppers and onions, sauté until softened and beginning to caramelize, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Cook the shrimp: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly caramelized. Add the minced garlic towards the end to prevent burning, stirring gently to combine.
  4. Finish with lime and season: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the skillet and toss everything together to distribute the flavors evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
  5. Warm the tortillas: Quickly warm tortillas on a dry skillet or in the microwave for a few seconds until soft and pliable, ready for serving.

Notes

  • Do not overcook shrimp to prevent rubbery texture; cook until shrimp just turn pink and curl.
  • Use medium-high heat to achieve slight char and caramelization on veggies and shrimp.
  • Prep all ingredients before cooking as fajitas cook quickly and require attention.
  • Add fresh lime juice at the end for brightness and to balance spices.
  • Allow shrimp to rest briefly in the spice mix before cooking to intensify flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp fajitas, skillet shrimp fajitas, quick Mexican dinner, sautéed shrimp, healthy fajitas