Chili’s fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish consisting of grilled meat, onions, and bell peppers served on a sizzling skillet. The fajita ingredients can vary slightly depending on the protein you select, but generally Chili’s fajitas come with the following:
Meat: You can choose between steak, chicken, or combo (both steak and chicken) for your fajita meat. The meat is seasoned with Chili’s signature fajita seasoning blend before being grilled.
Onions and bell peppers: Chili’s fajitas come with a medley of grilled onions and bell peppers, including white, yellow and red onions as well as red, green, yellow and orange bell peppers. The veggies are lightly seasoned.
Tortillas: Warm flour tortillas come on the side of Chili’s fajitas. You can use the tortillas to make tacos or wraps with the fajita fillings.
Guacamole: Freshly made guacamole is included with Chili’s fajitas. The guacamole provides a cool, creamy contrast to the sizzling fajita ingredients.
Pico de gallo: A homemade pico de gallo made with chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime is another accompaniment. It adds a fresh, acidic flavor.
Sour cream: Cool and tangy sour cream comes on the side for topping fajita tacos or dipping the meat and veggies.
Cheese: Shredded Monterey Jack cheese is standard, but you can request shredded cheddar instead. Cheese adds a gooey texture when melted over fajitas.
Jalapeños: Sliced jalapeño peppers are served with Chili’s fajitas. They bring some heat and crunch.
Lettuce: Shredded iceberg lettuce garnishes the dish. It provides a lighter, crispy texture and visual contrast.
Rice: Mexican rice is a typical sidecar with Chili’s fajitas. It soaks up any extra juices and flavors.
Beans: Chili’s fajitas are also served with refried beans, either black or pinto style. They add protein and fiber.
Tortilla Chips and Salsa: Crispy tortilla chips and salsa come with fajitas for scooping up any extra toppings.
So in summary, the standard Chili’s fajitas ingredients include:
– Grilled steak, chicken or combo meat
– Onions and bell peppers
– Warm flour tortillas
– Guacamole
– Pico de gallo
– Sour cream
– Cheese
– Jalapeños
– Lettuce
– Mexican rice
– Refried beans
– Tortilla chips and salsa
The exact quantity of each item may vary, but you can expect a hearty platter of meat, veggies, tortillas and classic Tex-Mex accompaniments when you order Chili’s fajitas. Now let’s dive deeper into some frequently asked questions about Chili’s fajitas:
Can I Customize My Chili’s Fajitas?
Yes, Chili’s allows you to customize your fajitas in the following ways:
– Protein: Choose steak, chicken or combo. You can also opt for just veggies if you don’t want any meat.
– Level of spice: Order mild, medium or hot salsa on the side to control the level of heat.
– Extra toppings: Ask for any additional toppings like more cheese, guacamole, sour cream, etc. There may be an upcharge.
– No tortillas: Skip the tortillas if you are gluten-free or limiting carbs.
– Substitute sides: Swap out the rice and beans for a salad, sauteed veggies or another side.
– Add a quesadilla: Order a fajita chicken quesadilla on the side to make it a combo meal.
So Chili’s gives you flexibility to craft your perfect fajita experience. Just ask your server if you want to customize anything. The kitchen aims to accommodate requests.
What Is Chili’s Fajita Seasoning?
Chili’s uses a proprietary blend of seasonings to flavor their fajita meat and vegetables. Although the exact recipe is a secret, some of the notable spices are:
– Chili powder: This provides a punch of heat and brings out the flavor of the meat.
– Cumin: Earthy, nutty cumin adds depth of flavor.
– Garlic powder: Garlic powder lends an aromatic touch.
– Onion powder: Onion powder also boosts the savory flavor.
– Oregano: Oregano’s woodsy notes pair well with the blend.
– Black pepper: A touch of black pepper brings a bite.
– Salt: A bit of salt balances and enhances the other seasonings.
So Chili’s fajita seasoning likely contains a mix of spices including chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, pepper and salt. Those ingredients are balanced to create a bold, Tex-Mex-style flavor profile.
What Types of Peppers Are in Chili’s Fajitas?
Chili’s uses a colorful medley of bell peppers in their fajitas. You can expect to see:
– Green bell peppers: Have a vegetal, slightly bitter taste.
– Red bell peppers: The sweetest and most ripe tasting.
– Yellow/orange bell peppers: Also sweet with a subtle fruity flavor.
– Mini peppers: Petite varieties offer sweeter, more concentrated flavor.
The mix of bell pepper colors and sizes provides an array of flavors and textures, from crunchy and fresh to soft and caramelized. The peppers balance nicely with the richness of the meat and cheese. Their high water content also helps keep fajitas juicy.
Does Chili’s Have Veggie Fajitas?
Yes, Chili’s offers veggie fajitas without any meat. The veggie fajitas come with:
– Grilled onions and bell peppers
– Warm flour tortillas
– Guacamole
– Pico de gallo
– Sour cream
– Cheese
– Jalapeños
– Lettuce
– Mexican rice
– Refried beans
– Tortilla chips and salsa
So you get all the same fixings minus the steak or chicken. It’s a great option for vegetarians or anyone looking for a lighter meatless meal. Chili’s uses separate grills and utensils to prepare the veggie fajitas, so there is no meat cross-contamination.
Are Chili’s Fajitas Gluten Free?
Chili’s fajitas can be made gluten free by requesting no tortillas and subbing a gluten free side for the rice.
Here are some gluten free customizations you can make:
– Skip the flour tortillas
– Choose corn tortilla chips instead of regular chips
– Ask for no rice; replace with black beans, sauteed veggies, a salad, etc.
– Verify no soy sauce is used to marinate the meat
– Request clean knives, surfaces and cooking equipment
As long as you avoid the flour tortillas and skeptical seasonings, the fajita meat and veggies are naturally gluten free. Just inform your server that you need a gluten free meal. The kitchen staff will take precautions to avoid cross-contamination.
How Spicy Are Chili’s Fajitas?
Chili’s fajitas range from mild to moderately spicy depending on your preferences. The fajita meat and veggies alone are not spicy. The kick comes from:
– The salsa – Chili’s offers mild, medium or hot salsa. The hot salsa packs some heat.
– Jalapeños – Fresh sliced jalapeños add a sharper pepper spice.
– Ground chili powder – This adds warmth to the signature seasoning blend.
To control the heat level, choose mild salsa or ask for sliced jalapeños on the side. You can also request less or no chili powder in the fajita seasoning. And be sure to have cooling dippers like guacamole, sour cream and cheese on hand to tone down the heat.
How Are Chili’s Fajitas Cooked?
Chili’s fajita meat and vegetables are grilled over an open flame on a flat top grill. This cooking method gives Chili’s fajitas their signature charred, smoky flavor.
Here is the general process:
1. The steak, chicken or veggies are marinated in Oil and Chili’s fajita seasoning blend.
2. The meat and veggies are cooked in batches on a hot flat top grill.
3. Using long metal spatulas, the cooks flip and stir the ingredients frequently to evenly char and caramelize them.
4. Onions and peppers are cooked first since they take longer. Meat is added later to finish cooking.
5. Once charred and cooked through, the fajita ingredients are removed from the grill.
6. The meat rests for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
7. The fajitas are sliced and plated with toppings while the meat is still hot.
So Chili’s uses high-heat grilling to add that classic smoky fajita flavor you can’t achieve with pan frying or baking alone. The charred exterior also adds textural contrast to the soft cooked interior.
How Much do Chili’s Fajitas Cost?
Chili’s fajita prices vary by location but generally range from $12.49 to $18.99 based on the protein:
– Veggie Fajitas: $12.49
– Chicken Fajitas: $13.99
– Steak Fajitas: $17.99
– Combo (Steak & Chicken) Fajitas: $18.99
There are also lunch portions available for smaller appetites typically priced $2 cheaper. And Chili’s often runs fajita specials that lower the cost, like offering $5 fajitas on certain weeknights.
So expect to pay around $13 to $19 for a Chili’s fajita platter depending on time of day, protein, portion size and any special offers. Sides like guacamole and queso may cost extra too.
Tips for Saving Money on Chili’s Fajitas
Here are some tips to get Chili’s fajitas for less:
– Go for lunch – The lunch portion fajitas are slightly smaller for a lower price.
– Split an order – Share a combo fajita platter as an appetizer for the table.
– Watch for specials – Take advantage of weekly specials like $5 fajita Fridays.
– Use coupons – Check for Chili’s coupons on their app or website to save money.
– Opt for chicken or veggie – Steak fajitas cost the most so choose chicken or veggie to save.
– Split sides – Share sides like rice and beans to cut costs.
– Order water – Skip pricier sodas, teas or margaritas and stick with free water.
– Get takeout – Ordering fajitas to go saves you money over dining in.
So consider these tips above to enjoy Chili’s fajitas without overspending. With the right strategies, you can feast on fajitas for well under $20 per person.
Conclusion
Chili’s sizzling fajitas have become a quintessential Mexican chain restaurant meal. What sets Chili’s fajitas apart is the flavorful grilled meat, mix of multi-colored peppers and onions, and classic Tex-Mex toppings like guac and pico. While a Chili’s fajita platter involves some predictable ingredients like tortillas, cheese, rice and beans, you have flexibility to customize with different meats, spice levels, and sides. Just keep costs down by splitting portions, choosing affordable proteins and scoring discounts. With the right customizations, Chili’s fajitas can cater to most tastes and diets so you can enjoy this classic in your own way.
