Vibrant Shrimp Fajita Rice Bowls with Peppers & Lime
These bowls are bright, zesty, and packed with color! Juicy shrimp is tossed in smoky fajita seasoning and cooked until perfectly tender, then served over warm rice with sauteed peppers and onions, fresh lime, cilantro, and your choice of add-ons. They taste like a cheerful Tex-Mex feast — light, fresh, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 20–22 minutes
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
1 lb raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Juice of ½ lime
Fajita Veggies
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
Rice Base
2 cups cooked white rice, brown rice, or cilantro-lime rice
Optional Toppings
Avocado or guacamole
Corn or roasted corn
Black beans
Pico de gallo or salsa
Jalapenos
Fresh cilantro
Extra lime wedges
Shredded cheese or cotija
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
1. Season the Shrimp
Pat shrimp dry.
Toss with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
Set aside while prepping veggies.
2. Cook the Fajita Veggies
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add peppers and onions.
Season with chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cook 5–7 minutes until charred on edges but still slightly crisp.
Remove and set aside.
3. Sear the Shrimp
In the same skillet, add the shrimp.
Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
Don’t overcook — shrimp cook fast!
Squeeze extra lime over top.
4. Assemble the Rice Bowls
In each bowl:
Add a scoop of rice.
Layer on fajita peppers and onions.
Add shrimp.
Top with your favorites: avocado, beans, corn, pico, jalapenos, etc.
Finish with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge.
Optional Add-Ons & Variations
Make it creamy
Add chipotle crema
Drizzle with cilantro-lime sauce
Add a spoonful of guacamole
Make it extra spicy
Add cayenne to the shrimp
Use hot salsa
Add pickled jalapenos
Make it low-carb
Serve over cauliflower rice or mixed greens.
Make it meal-prep friendly
Store shrimp separately and reheat lightly to avoid overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes — just thaw and pat dry before seasoning.
Can I grill the shrimp instead?
Absolutely! Skewer or use a grill basket and cook 2–3 minutes per side.
What rice works best?
Cilantro-lime rice is amazing, but brown rice or jasmine rice are great too.
Can I replace shrimp with another protein?
Chicken strips, steak, tofu, or even portobello mushrooms work perfectly.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 420–520
Protein: 30–35 g
Carbohydrates: 40–55 g
Fat: 12–18 g
Fiber: 5–8 g
Sodium: ~450 mg