Description
This vibrant Chili Garlic Lime Shrimp recipe combines zesty lime juice, aromatic garlic, and a spicy chili powder blend to create a quick and flavorful shrimp dish. Perfectly seared in butter and served with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, it makes an ideal appetizer or a light main course ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (from 1 lime, plus more for serving)
- 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
- 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Fresh cilantro (finely chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Marinate shrimp: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and toss until they are fully coated in the marinade. Let the shrimp marinate for 10-15 minutes, but do not exceed 30 minutes to avoid over-marinating.
- Heat skillet and butter: Place a large skillet on medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter until it is fully melted and hot.
- Cook shrimp: Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer to the hot skillet. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes without moving them to allow a nice sear. Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn opaque and their tails curl up, indicating they are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the shrimp from the skillet immediately to prevent overcooking. Serve sprinkled with freshly chopped cilantro and additional lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Do not marinate the shrimp for longer than 30 minutes to prevent the acid in the lime juice from making the shrimp mushy.
- You can adjust the amount of chili powder to control the spice level.
- Serve with steamed rice or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the shrimp to get a good sear.
- Fresh cilantro is optional but adds a bright, herbal note to the dish.
