Are you in the mood for something tasty and easy for dinner tonight? Look no further than this Shrimp Fajitas Recipe. This quick, one-pan dish is full of flavor and can be ready in under an hour. Succulent shrimp, sweet bell peppers and sharp onions are marinated in a deep, earthy mixture of lime juice, chili powder, cumin and garlic, then cooked in a hot skillet to create a mouthwatering mix of colors and flavors. Whether you prefer to enjoy them wrapped in warm flour tortillas or as fajita bowls over rice, these easy shrimp fajitas are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Why You’ll Enjoy One Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Here are a few reasons why you’ll love these Shrimp Fajitas:

  • Quick and Easy. With only one pan, 30 minutes of marinating time and less than 15 minutes of cook time, these fajitas are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
     
  • Flavorful. The shrimp, bell peppers, and onions are marinated in a blend of lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic, creating a deep, earthy, and sharp flavor that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
     
  • Flexible. You can increase the amount of spice in these fajitas by adding chopped serrano or jalapeno peppers to the marinade and/or the bell peppers. This option allows you to customize the level of spice to your tastes.
     
  • Versatile. These tasty fajitas can be enjoyed in various ways. You can serve them wrapped in warm flour tortillas, as fajita bowls over rice, or placed over a bed of greens for a lighter option. And, you can offer a range of toppings on the side, including grated cheese, salsa, sour cream, cilantro and guacamole, allowing guests to personalize their meal.
     
  • Healthy. Shrimp is a low-calorie, high-protein seafood that’s packed with essential nutrients. Bell peppers and onions are also loaded with antioxidants and other important vitamins and minerals.
Overhead, close up shot of shrimp fajitas on a white platter

Shrimp Fajitas Marinade

The marinade in this shrimp fajitas recipe is what makes it truly special – it’s the “secret sauce,” so to speak! With just 7 pantry ingredients, this mixture of earthy, smoky, and sharp flavors creates a deeply flavored dish that is sure to surprise and delight you and your guests. The combination of these ingredients results in a bold and zesty marinade that perfectly complements the succulent shrimp and vegetables in this dish. You won’t believe how much flavor can be achieved with such basic ingredients.

Here’s all you’ll need:

  • Fresh lime juice – can also use lemon juice, but I prefer the lime flavor it this dish
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Chicken broth – can use fish broth instead
  • Chili powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Garlic powder – or granules
  • Fresh ground black pepper

Shrimp Fajitas Ingredients

In addition to the above marinade ingredients, all you’ll need to complete this dish is:

  • Peeled and deveined raw shrimp
  • Green, yellow and/or orange bell peppers
  • Yellow onion
  • Toppings, including: grated cheese, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cilantro – can also add shredded lettuce or cabbage, refried beans
  • For serving: flour tortillas, cooked rice or mixed greens

And, if you want to make this dish spicy, add in some chopped serrano or jalapeno peppers!

Quick Tip about shrimp

It’s important to note that frozen shrimp weigh less once thawed, due to the water added during freezing. In general, 1 pound of frozen shrimp equals around 13.7 ounces of thawed shrimp – or around 15% less. So, if using frozen shrimp for this recipe, you’ll need around an additional 3 ounces to ensure you’ll have 4 servings.

How to Make Easy Shrimp Fajitas

Overhead shot of shrimp cooking in a cast iron skillet

Here’s all you have to do to create this delectable one pan dinner:

  1. Mix marinade; add shrimp and vegetables.
    In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, broth, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper. Divide mixture between 2 large zip-top baggies. Add shrimp to one bag; add sliced onion and peppers to the second bag. Seal bags and toss. Place both bags in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  2. Prep toppings.
    While the shrimp and veggies are marinating, prep the sides as needed – e.g., grate the cheese, make the guacamole (if not using purchased), chop the cilantro. Place each topping in a serving dish, cover and place in the refrigerator until serving time.
  3. Cook vegetables.        
    In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Remove onion and peppers from marinade and add to hot skillet. Season with salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft, around 5 minutes. Remove vegetables from pan and arrange around the edges of a large serving platter; cover and keep warm.
  4. Cook shrimp.
    Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet and heat over medium heat. Remove shrimp from marinade, add to pan, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are cooked through, around 4 to 5 minutes.
  5. Plate and serve.
    Spoon shrimp in the middle of the serving platter, surrounded by the onion and peppers. Serve immediately, with warm tortillas, salsa, cheese, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole and lime wedges on the side.
White oval platter holding shrimp fajitas with various toppings and tortillas in the background

Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Tips

When making this Shrimp Fajitas recipe, there are a few important tips to keep in mind, to ensure your fajitas come out perfectly:

  • Don’t marinate shrimp for more than 1 hour. Shrimp are delicate and can become tough and rubbery if marinated for too long. And, the acid in this marinade will start cooking the shrimp after an hour! So, aim for no more than 30 minutes to an hour to ensure they stay tender and juicy.
  • Properly clean the shrimp. Remove any shells (including tail shells), legs, and the vein that runs along the back. Even if you purchase previously shelled and deveined shrimp, double check as sometimes pieces of shell remain.
  • Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly, and overcooking can cause them to become tough and dry. Once they turn opaque, they’re done – remove them from the heat immediately.
  • Slice peppers and onions around 1/4 inch thick. This size will cook quickly and evenly, ensuring that they’re crisp-tender and flavorful without becoming mushy. Plus, thinner slices are easier to eat.

Serving this Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

There are three different ways to serve this shrimp:

  1. On a platter with warmed tortillas and toppings on the side.
  2. Over cooked rice as fajita bowls, with toppings either added to the bowl or alongside.
  3. Spooned on mixed greens, with toppings served alongside.

In addition, you can add refried beans and cooked rice as sides – a good option if feeding hungry teenagers!

How to Store Shrimp Fajitas

If you have leftovers, cool them to room temperature, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will last for 2 to 3 days. Reheat in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat just until warmed through.

Overhead shot of shrimp fajitas on a white platter with guacamole and salsa on the side

Shrimp Fajitas FAQs

What toppings for fajitas?

I like to serve these shrimp fajitas on a large platter, with a variety of topping choices on the side – including warm flour tortillas, salsa, cheese, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole and sometimes lime wedges.

Should cheese go on fajitas?

Yes definitely! Shredded cheese is a very popular topping for all kinds of fajitas.

Do you put lettuce on fajitas?

Yes, shredded lettuce is another excellent topping for fajitas – and adds a bit of crunchy texture.

More Shrimp Recipes You Will Enjoy

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White oval platter holding shrimp fajitas with various toppings and tortillas in the background

One Pan Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

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This Shrimp Fajitas Recipe is quick, flavorful, and easy. Succulent shrimp, sweet bell peppers, and sharp onions are marinated in a smoky, earthy mixture of lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Cooked in one pan, they create a mouthwatering mix of colors and flavors. Enjoy them as fajita bowls over rice,  wrapped in warm flour tortillas or spoon over mixed greens for a satisfying meal.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Marinating Time: 30 mins:
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings, 2 wrapped tortillas each 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp Fajitas Marinade

  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (can substitute lemon) – 3 to 4 juicy limes
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • A few grinds of fresh ground black pepper

Shrimp Fajitas

  • 1 pound large (31 to 40 per pound) shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail shells removed – See Notes below
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 large bell peppers (green, yellow and/or orange), seeded, deveined and sliced into 1/4-inch sticks
  • Optional: 1/2 serrano or jalapeno pepper, seeded, deveined, and chopped – optional
  • 8 medium flour tortillas – see gluten free adaptation in Notes below

Toppings

  • Purchased salsa– or pico de gallo
  • Shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mixture)
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Sour cream (or Crema)
  • Guacamole
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

Shrimp Fajitas Marinade

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, broth, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper. Divide mixture between 2 large zip-top baggies.
  2. Add shrimp to one bag; add sliced onion and peppers to the second bag. Seal bags and toss. Place both bags in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Shrimp Fajitas

  1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Remove onion and peppers from marinade and add to hot skillet. Season with salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft, around 5 minutes.
  2. Remove vegetables from pan and arrange around the edges of a large serving platter, cover and keep warm. Don’t clean out the skillet!
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet and heat over medium heat. Remove shrimp from marinade, add to pan, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are cooked through, around 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Spoon shrimp in the middle of the serving platter, surrounded by the onion and peppers. Serve immediately, with warm tortillas, salsa, cheese, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole and lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Gluten free: serve over cooked rice as a fajita bowl.

Note on shrimp: It’s important to note that frozen shrimp weigh less once thawed, due to the water added during freezing. In general, 1 pound of frozen shrimp equals around 13.7 ounces of thawed shrimp – or around 15% less. So, if using frozen shrimp for this recipe, you’ll need around an additional 3 ounces to ensure you’ll have 4 servings.

Variations in serving style: You can also serve the fajita mixture over cooked rice as fajita bowls, or spooned over mixed greens, with the various toppings served alongside.

  • Author: Lee Clayton Roper
  • Category: main dish, quick and easy
  • Method: one pan, sauté
  • Cuisine: Tex Mex

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White oval platter holding shrimp fajitas with various toppings and tortillas in the background

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About the author

Hi, I'm Lee.

I am inspired by my mother, Sally’s, love of cooking and entertaining to gather friends and family together over great meals and conversation. In fact, I held my first dinner party at the age of 16. Throughout the years, I’ve provided recipes, menu advice and cooking tips to friends seeking uncomplicated and delicious ideas for home entertaining.


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