This Chili Garlic Lime Shrimp recipe is bold, smoky, and ready to impress in just 20 minutes! Perfectly tangy and packed with flavor, these shrimp pair beautifully with all your favorite Mexican dishes like tacos, rice, bowls, or even fresh guacamole.
1tablespoonlime juicefrom 1 lime, plus more for serving
2garlic clovesfinely minced
2teaspoonspacked brown sugar
2teaspoonschili powder
1teaspoonpaprika
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
1poundlarge shrimppeeled and deveined
2tablespoonssalted butter
Fresh cilantrofinely chopped, optional
Instructions
In a large bowl, add avocado oil, lime juice, garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined. Add shrimp and toss until well coated. Marinate for 10-15 minutes, and no longer than 30 minutes.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 pound large shrimp
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the shrimp in a single layer.
2 tablespoons salted butter
Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip, and then continue cooking for 2-3 minutes more, or until the shrimp are no longer translucent and their tails begin to curl. Remove shrimp and serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and additional lime wedges, if desired.
Fresh cilantro
Notes
Shrimp: Fresh Gulf shrimp are ideal, but frozen shrimp work too. Thaw completely and pat dry to help the marinade stick and prevent excess moisture.
Marinating: Keep the marinating time between 15 and 30 minutes. Any longer, and the lime juice can start to affect the shrimp’s texture.
Substitutions: Fresh garlic can be swapped with ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Avocado oil is a fine substitution for olive oil.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking, or enjoy cold in tacos or salads.
Cooking Tip: Avoid overcrowding the skillet—cook the shrimp in a single layer to get a nice sear and even cooking.