Chili Lime Shrimp
Shrimp tossed in chilli, paprika and garlic, seared in a hot pan and finished with lime juice, zest and cilantro. Four servings in 16 minutes.
Storing and Planning Ahead
Best eaten straight away. Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 day; eat cold in a salad.
Making Chili Lime Shrimp
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Pat the shrimp dry and toss them with the chilli powder, garlic powder, paprika and salt.
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Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook the shrimp in a single layer for 2 to 3 minutes on one side, until browned, then turn and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.
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Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the lime juice and zest.
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Scatter with the cilantro and serve straight away.
A Few Pointers
- Use a pan big enough to hold the shrimp in one layer, or cook in two batches.
- If you like more heat, add a pinch of cayenne with the other spices.
- Defrost frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight and pat them dry before cooking.
Behind the Recipe
Shrimp, chilli, lime and cilantro: that is the whole list, plus a little garlic and oil. The shrimp are tossed in the spices, seared for about 3 minutes a side and finished with lime juice and zest in the same pan. Dinner takes 16 minutes.
Dry shrimp sear; wet shrimp steam. Pat the shrimp dry before the spices go on, and cook them in a single layer in a very hot pan. Do not move them for the first minute; they release from the pan when the underside is browned. Take them off the heat as soon as they curl into a loose C, because overcooked shrimp are rubbery.
Lime juice goes in off the heat, so it stays bright. Serve over cauliflower rice, in lettuce cups or with a simple green salad. It is best straight away. A pinch of cayenne in the spice mix turns the heat up. Lime zest adds the oils from the peel, which juice alone lacks.
Serving Ideas
Cauliflower rice · Lettuce cups · A green salad
Changing the Recipe
- Lemon is the everyday swap for lime in this kind of dish — the acidity plays the same role even though the flavour is not identical.
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Chili Lime Shrimp FAQ
How long does Chili Lime Shrimp take to make?
About 16 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 6 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Chili Lime Shrimp?
Use a pan big enough to hold the shrimp in one layer, or cook in two batches. If you like more heat, add a pinch of cayenne with the other spices. Defrost frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight and pat them dry before cooking.
What should I serve with Chili Lime Shrimp?
Cauliflower rice; Lettuce cups; A green salad.
How should Chili Lime Shrimp be stored?
Best eaten straight away. Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 day; eat cold in a salad.
Is Chili Lime Shrimp suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, weight-loss friendly, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Chili Lime Shrimp?
About 148 kcal per serving, with 25 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate and 4 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Chili Lime Shrimp Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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