Quick and easy chili lime shrimp make a fast, flavorful main course when you need dinner in a hurry. Toss peeled and deveined shrimp with a blend of chili spices, lime juice and a touch of oil, pan-fry until just cooked, then finish with fresh cilantro for a bright, herbaceous finish.
This recipe delivers a layered heat from three chili components—crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder and a chili paste—balanced by lime zest and the freshness of cilantro. It uses common pantry items and comes together in minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or anytime you want a satisfying, low-effort meal.
How To Make It
Place 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons avocado oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons chili paste (such as sambal oelek), 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Mix until the shrimp are evenly coated.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lay the shrimp in a single layer and cook the first side for about 2 minutes, until they are no longer opaque about halfway up. Flip and cook the second side for another minute or so until just cooked through. Avoid overcooking—shrimp are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Remove the skillet from the heat, add about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
What To Serve It With?
These shrimp pair well with simple, quick sides. Try them with a crisp green salad, steamed vegetables or one of these easy options:
- Garlic Parmesan asparagus
- Parmesan risotto
- Cold noodle or rice salads
They’re also excellent tucked into warm tortillas as tacos with your favorite toppings—avocado, shredded cabbage, extra lime and a drizzle of crema or yogurt.
Helpful Tips
Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook very quickly; remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
For extra brightness, squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp after tossing with cilantro.
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More Recipes You’ll Love!
If you enjoy this chili lime shrimp, you may like other quick shrimp dinners such as Greek shrimp with tomatoes and feta, bang bang shrimp tacos, shrimp fajitas, or Cajun shrimp pasta.
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Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta
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Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
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Shrimp Fajitas
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Cajun Shrimp Pasta
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Chili Lime Shrimp
5 mins
5 mins
Equipment
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons sambal oelek (or other chili paste)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Mix the shrimp with avocado oil, lime juice, chili powder, chili paste, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, pepper and minced garlic in a bowl.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and arrange the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook the first side about 2 minutes, then flip and cook another minute or so until shrimp are opaque and just cooked through.
- Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
- Toss and serve immediately.
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.
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