Are Chicken Fajitas Fattening? (False Myths Busted)

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Despite being considered one of the healthiest food options amongst many greasy Mexican dishes, many Mexican food addicts are not convinced that chicken fajitas are healthy to eat daily.

Today’s post will play an active role in debunking some myths about just how healthy chicken fajitas are.

If you are an ardent fan of chicken fajitas and wonder how healthy the dish is, this post is for you.

Are Chicken Fajitas Fattening?

In general, chicken fajitas are NOT fattening at all in terms of calories provided per serving. However, it should be noted that if you opt for several side dishes served with chicken fajitas, the Mexican-based dish could be unhealthy and fattening.

What’s the better choice for healthy fajitas: chicken or beef?

If you are a long-time fan of Mexican-flavored fajitas, you probably insist that there is a range of meat options that could go with the fantastic fajitas even though the most traditional choice for fajitas is known to be chicken.

However, more meat and meat-free options have been added to the menu in recent years due to the high demand for different diets. Apart from chicken, fajita addicts can opt for beef, prawn, or even veggie versions.

The nutritional value varies slightly depending on the type of protein chosen. According to some honest reviews released by professional dietitians, chicken fajitas are healthier based on several nutritional figures, notably fat content and calories. It is estimated that a serving of chicken fajita could provide roughly 430 calories, while that figure for the beef option could be slightly higher.

This leads to the fact that your intake of calories will be higher if you choose to consume beef fajitas. There is, nevertheless, a trade-off, as beef is known to contain more protein than chicken. So, the final verdict is reached by you. It is always best to be mindful about what you consume daily, using the food’s nutritional facts.

How do you know if a food is fattening or not?

Regarding health and nutrition, it can be pretty confusing to identify what is good for our health and what we should skip due to the fattening ingredients present in the food.

It is, however, within our capacity to tell whether or not the food is fattening — if you possess some know-how.

Here are three tips you should take on board when telling if the food is unhealthy and fattening.

First and foremost, always remember to spare a bit of your time to read the ingredient list. This is considered a necessary action, as it could help you find out what you have been consuming.

From there, you can have a glimpse of what ingredients are contained in the food, which can prevent you from digesting fattening ingredients, as those can have a detrimental effect on your overall health in the long term.

Secondly, it is a definite must to pay careful attention to the types of fats contained in the food. You should focus on the right kind of fat to help protect you against disease and boost your immune system.

Last but not least, it is best to take convenience into account. Usually, fattening foods tend to be made quickly with several processed ingredients containing loads of fat and preservative substances that allow the foods to stay fresh longer.

Therefore, it is much better to go for wholesome ingredients. They might take a few minutes to prepare, but it’s worth it for our health.

How many calories are in a chicken fajita?

In terms of nutrition facts, the usual chicken fajita portion with peppers and onions tends to have around 430 calories, give or take a few.

This is considered a standard serving of a chicken fajita with an 8-diameter flour tortilla and some condiments. Other figures, including total fat content, carbohydrates, and protein, come in at 15.7 grams, 38.8 grams, and 33.4 grams, respectively.

On the other hand, a fajita served with beef might contain a little more than 430 calories, which can be higher in protein than chicken.

However, those on a low-carb diet can still enjoy the flavorful taste of chicken fajitas by opting for non-tortilla options. When it comes to nutrition information, a serving size of a chicken fajita without tortilla and condiments can have just 400 calories, give or take a few. This low-carb option offered on the table is known to satisfy more demanding stomachs who are not keen on a regular serving with tortilla wraps.

Can you eat chicken fajitas every day?

As the nutritional figures state above, we all know that these are still heart-healthy Mexican foods that fajita-loving fans can reward themselves on an occasional basis. Chicken fajitas, nevertheless, can be bad for your health if they are restaurant-served.

One thing to bear in mind is that chicken fajita’s healthiness will vary from place to place, with some establishments having medium-range amounts of fat and calorie content. In contrast, others could offer servings that are high in those numbers.

This is because there are side dishes served along with the main dish, such as sour cream and cheese-laden guacamole, which can considerably increase the calorie and fat figures.

Even though avocado guacamole contains various beneficial nutrients and unsaturated fat, which can help protect against cardiovascular diseases, it is still considered high in fat and calories, which is bad for health when eaten regularly.

It is, however, reasonably heart-healthy in many aspects to having chicken fajitas if you manage to make them at home and not attempt to add a variety of fattening ingredients to the fajitas. A home-prepared portion of chicken fajita is believed to be packed with loads of nutritious ingredients alongside leaner protein and slow-releasing carbs.

This means they’re not only good in terms of overall health, but also you can feel fully satisfied after diving into your meal, thanks to the provision of plenty of goodnesses such as protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Chicken fajitas, additionally, are relatively easy and quick to replicate at home.

Except for the nutrition facts, another concern worth paying attention to is the grilled meat in the fajita. When the meat is grilled under charcoal, it releases some chemical substances, namely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heterocyclic amines (HCA), which can cause cancer in our bodies.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that we not have fajitas with red meat regularly. If you would like to have fajitas more often, it is best to opt for some other alternative options containing less sodium and rich in vitamins and minerals. Some healthy alternatives can be vegan-friendly fajitas or chicken fajitas served with a significant amount of salad.

Here is a video by Downshiftology instructing how to prepare a beautiful plate of chicken fajita with home-prepared seasoning

What are good side dishes to pair with Mexican dishes?

Here are the 5 most highly recommended options that we have already lined up for those sizzling plates of marinated meat and searing vegetables, including Avocado Salad, Cilantro Tomato Corn Salad, Sweet Corn Tomalito, Traditional Mexican Guacamole, and Mayan Couscous. In terms of flavors, they are all nice to pair with either chicken or steak fajitas.

Avocado Salad

First up, the Avocado Salad is a mixture of a salad and a freshly-made salsa that is a tasty side dish for any dish with grilled meat, especially chicken fajitas.

Cilantro Tomato Corn Salad

Second place is the vibrantly colored salad with a summery taste — Cilantro Tomato Corn Salad. This peppy salad is a fantastic side dish that partners exceptionally well with a wide range of fajitas, namely beef and chicken versions, thanks to the freshness of all the vegetables accompanied by a tasty vinaigrette.

Sweet Corn Tomalito

Next on this ranking is the gorgeous Sweet Corn Tomalito, which is commonly known as Steamed Corn Pudding. This old-fashioned side dish is worth giving a try with any kind of fajita, particularly meat-free fajitas.

Traditional Mexican Guacamole

Our next dish is always a firm go-to side dish for Mexican cuisine enthusiasts, especially on a Mexican night. The authentic Traditional Mexican Guacamole served with a sizzling platter of spicy chicken fajita is a fantastic combo that you shouldn’t miss out on when dining in a Mexican restaurant.

If you are not a fan of spicy food and are concerned about the spice level, the jalapeño in the guacamole can be removed for a milder flavor, allowing you to enjoy your favorite chicken fajitas.

Mayan Couscous

Despite coming in final place, this side dish still wins the hearts of Mexican-cuisine-loving fans thanks to a unique flavor offered by the combination of two cuisines: Mexican and Middle Eastern.

Mayan Couscous is light and flavorful and goes exceptionally well with chicken fajitas and beef fajitas. The particular combination does an excellent job of bringing two distinct flavors together, which keeps fajita-loving fans coming back for more.

What are the health benefits of eating chicken fajitas?

Eating chicken fajitas has a number of health benefits. For one, chicken fajitas are a great source of protein. Protein is an important nutrient for maintaining muscle mass and preventing weight gain.

Additionally, chicken fajitas are high in fiber, which can help promote regularity and reduce the risk of colon cancer. Chicken fajitas also contain a number of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Finally, chicken fajitas are a low-fat and low-calorie meal, making them a healthy option for people looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

How can I cook a good chicken fajita?

There are a few different ways to cook chicken fajitas.

One popular method is to grill the chicken and vegetables over an open flame. Alternatively, you can bake the chicken and vegetables in the oven. If you are short on time, you can also cook the chicken and vegetables in a skillet on the stovetop.

Whichever cooking method you choose, be sure to marinate the chicken and vegetables in a flavorful sauce before cooking. This will add lots of flavor to your fajitas.

Can I make chicken fajitas in the microwave?

You can make chicken fajitas in the microwave, but I do not recommend it. The results will not be as good as if you cook them on the stovetop or grill.

If you do choose to cook them in the microwave, be sure to use a microwave-safe dish and stir the ingredients every few minutes to prevent them from sticking to the dish.

What kind of tortilla should I use for chicken fajitas?

There are a variety of different tortillas you can use for chicken fajitas.

My personal favorite is the whole wheat tortilla, but you can also use flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or even lettuce leaves as a wrap.

What is your favorite thing about eating chicken fajitas?

There are a few things I love about eating chicken fajitas.

First, they are so versatile — you can use any type of tortilla you want, and the toppings are endless. Additionally, chicken fajitas are always a crowd-pleaser.

Everyone seems to love them! Finally, they are a relatively healthy meal option — low in fat and calories, but high in protein and fiber.

Conclusion

Suppose you are a massive fan of chicken fajitas and would very much like to eat those sizzling plates of well-marinated meat and flavorful side vegetables regularly. In that case, you are in for a treat as this article provides you with essential information that can help you satisfy your Mexican cravings without worrying about the long-term health effects.

From now on, you no longer need to worry about whether or not to eat chicken fajitas!

Are Chicken Fajitas Fattening? (Myths Busted)