Ever grabbed that familiar yellow box of Old El Paso Fajita Dinner Kit at the grocery store and wondered exactly what you’re getting yourself into calorie-wise? I’ve been there too! As someone who loves Mexican-inspired meals but also tries to keep an eye on nutrition I wanted to dig into the real numbers behind this popular dinner option.
The Calorie Breakdown: What You’re Really Eating
Let’s cut right to the chase – a single serving of Old El Paso Fajita Dinner Kit prepared as directed with chicken, peppers, and onion contains 340 calories. This isn’t just the kit alone, but the complete meal when you add the recommended chicken, bell peppers, and onion according to package directions.
The macronutrient distribution breaks down like this
- 40% carbs (34g)
- 31% fat (12g)
- 29% protein (25g)
That’s actually not bad for a tasty dinner option! The protein content is particularly impressive, providing about 45% of your Daily Value.
What’s Actually In The Box?
When you purchase an Old El Paso Fajita Dinner Kit, you’re getting:
- 10 flour tortillas
- Fajita seasoning mix
- Mild fajita sauce
The nutritional analysis for a prepared serving typically includes:
- 2 tortillas
- 2 teaspoons of seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon of sauce
- Plus the chicken, peppers, and onions you add yourself
Complete Nutritional Profile
Here’s the full nutritional breakdown for a serving prepared with chicken, peppers, and onion:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 340 | – |
| Total Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g | 13% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | – |
| Cholesterol | 55mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 950mg | 40% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugars | 3g | – |
| Protein | 25g | – |
| Calcium | 80mg | – |
| Iron | 2mg | – |
| Vitamin A | 200mg | – |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | – |
Pros and Cons of This Meal Option
The Good Stuff
- Good source of protein (25g per serving)
- Contains dietary fiber (3g)
- Quick and convenient meal option
- Customizable with your choice of proteins and veggies
- Relatively low in sugar (only 3g)
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- High sodium content (950mg – that’s 40% of your daily value!)
- Contains 1g of trans fat (which health experts generally recommend avoiding)
- The kit alone (without adding fresh ingredients) isn’t particularly nutrient-dense
How Long Will It Take to Burn Those Calories?
If you’re wondering how much exercise you’d need to do to burn off a serving of this meal, here’s a quick reference:
- Swimming: 28 minutes
- Jogging: 39 minutes
- Cycling: 52 minutes
- Walking: 95 minutes
These estimates are based on a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs, so your actual burn time may vary depending on your personal stats.
How Does This Compare to the Unprepared Kit?
It’s worth noting that the calories in just the kit components alone (tortillas, seasoning, and sauce) are significantly lower – around 170 calories per serving. The addition of chicken and vegetables brings it up to the 340 calories we’ve been discussing.
The kit by itself contains:
- 4g total fat
- 32g carbohydrates
- 4g protein
- 690mg sodium
This shows just how much the added ingredients impact the final nutritional profile, especially in terms of protein content and calories.
Making It Healthier: Simple Swaps
If you love the convenience of the Old El Paso Fajita Kit but want to make it a bit healthier, I’ve got some tips:
- Use less seasoning mix – This can cut down on sodium significantly
- Add extra veggies – More bell peppers, onions, and even some zucchini or mushrooms can bulk up the meal without adding many calories
- Use whole wheat tortillas – If available, these provide more fiber
- Go lighter on the sauce – The sauce adds flavor but also sodium and calories
- Measure your portions – It’s easy to overeat when serving family-style
How to Prepare It (The Basic Method)
The kit comes with simple 3-step instructions:
-
Cut chicken into thin strips and cook in oil until no longer pink. Add the seasoning mix, bell pepper, and onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes until veggies are crisp-tender.
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Heat the tortillas according to package directions (either microwave or oven).
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Assemble by spooning the chicken filling onto tortillas and adding the fajita sauce.
Interesting Ways to Customize Your Fajitas
Wanna make your fajitas more exciting? Try these ideas:
- Switch up the protein – Beef, shrimp, or tofu work great too
- Add black beans – For extra fiber and protein
- Top with avocado slices – Healthy fats that make it more filling
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro – For a bright, fresh flavor
- Add a squeeze of lime – The acidity really enhances the flavors
- Include some jalapeños – If you like a bit more heat
- Try a dollop of Greek yogurt – A healthier alternative to sour cream
Is It Worth It? My Personal Take
I gotta say, for a convenient weeknight dinner, the nutrition profile isn’t too shabby. The 340 calories per serving is reasonable for a main meal, and the 25 grams of protein is impressive. The sodium content is my biggest concern at 950mg per serving (that’s 40% of your daily recommended intake!), but that’s pretty typical for pre-packaged meal kits.
If you’re watching your sodium intake closely or need to restrict trans fats, you might want to make fajitas from scratch instead. But for most people looking for a quick, tasty dinner option, this kit is a decent choice – especially when you add plenty of fresh veggies to the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many servings does one box make?
The Old El Paso Fajita Dinner Kit typically makes about 5 servings (10 fajitas total, with 2 fajitas per serving).
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the chicken for extra veggies, beans, or a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh.
Is this kit gluten-free?
No, the tortillas in the standard kit contain wheat flour, so they’re not gluten-free.
How long does it take to prepare?
From start to finish, you can have dinner on the table in about 20-25 minutes.
Can I freeze leftovers?
You can, but the texture of the tortillas and vegetables may change upon thawing. If you do freeze leftovers, it’s best to freeze just the filling and use fresh tortillas when reheating.
The Bottom Line
At 340 calories per serving with a good amount of protein, the Old El Paso Fajita Dinner Kit prepared with chicken, peppers, and onions can be part of a balanced diet for most people. The convenience factor is a major plus for busy weeknights, and the ability to customize with additional veggies gives you some nutritional flexibility.
Just be mindful of that sodium content if you’re watching your salt intake, and remember that what you add to the kit significantly impacts the final nutritional profile. Add plenty of colorful veggies for the most nutritious meal!
So next time you’re standing in the grocery aisle wondering if you should grab that familiar yellow box, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting calorie-wise and can make an informed choice for your dinner table.
Do you have a favorite way to prepare your fajita kit? I’d love to hear your creative additions in the comments below!
Product DescriptionGrab an Old El Paso Fajita Dinner Kit for a quick and easy fajita fiesta that the whole family can enjoy. Each dinner kit comes with 10 flour tortillas, fajita seasoning mix and mild fajita sauce. Simply choose your protein of choice and your favorite fajita toppings and get started making an easy weeknight dinner. This fajita kit is great for both chicken and beef fajitas. One box makes about 5 servings. Enjoy the delicious spices and seasonings that make up another delicious Old El Paso meal option.For more than 80 years, Old El Paso has been bringing families and communities together to celebrate old and new traditions around delicious, Mexican-inspired flavors. We believe that any night can be a taco night, and we’re here to help make it a little easier and a lot more delicious. Our variety of crispy hard taco shells, tasty soft tortillas, flavorful seasonings, and much more help make taco night fun.
| Amount Per Serving | As Packaged | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 | ||||||||
| % Daily Value * | |||||||||
| Total Fat 4g | 5% | ||||||||
| Saturated 2g | 11% | ||||||||
| Trans Fat 0g | |||||||||
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | ||||||||
| Sodium 690mg | 30% | ||||||||
| Total Carbohydrate 32g | 11% | ||||||||
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% | ||||||||
| Total Sugars 2g | |||||||||
| Incl. Added Sugars <1g | 2% | ||||||||
| Protein 4g | |||||||||
|
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| *Based on a 2,000 calorie diet. | |||||||||
Make 10 Fajitas in 3 Easy Steps!
You Will Need: 1 Lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil, 1 Medium Bell Pepper and 1 Medium Onion
1. Cut chicken into thin strips. Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick* skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until no longer pink and it reaches 165°F.Stir occasionally. Stir in Seasoning Mix, bell pepper and onion. Cook uncovered 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
2. Remove tortillas from bag. To heat in MICROWAVE, place stack of tortillas on microwavable plate. Cover with microwavable paper towel. Microwave on High 30 to 45 seconds or until warm. (To heat in OVEN, wrap tortillas in foil; place on cookie sheet. Bake at 325°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until warm.)
3. Spoon chicken filling onto tortillas. Top with desired toppings and Fajita Sauce.
*For skillets without nonstick finish, melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips; cook and stir until no longer pink in center. Add bell pepper and onion; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes until crisp-tender. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; sprinkle with Seasoning Mix. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid scorching. Continue with steps 2 and 3. From time to time, reformulations of products may alter nutrient value, ingredients and/or allergens. Maintaining on-line information accuracy at all times can be difficult. In the event of a conflict between the data that is shown on this site and that which is on the package, the data on the package should be the primary resource for accurate and up to date data for the product in the package.
Add a fiesta of flavor to chicken with garlic, lime and fresh greens.