Tangy, spicy, and seriously herbaceous, this chili lime shrimp recipe might just be your new healthy obsession.
Chili Lime Shrimp — Quick and Full of Flavor
With so much work to do and very little time on our hands, we probably have one thing in common: a liking for quick, easy meals. Those that come together in just one pan are even better — easy to make loads of, easier to clean.
Today, we’re sharing just that kind of fool-proof, hassle-free recipe but with a healthy addition: chili lime shrimp. Loaded with spice and cooked just so in butter and garlic goodness, these tangy and spicy shrimp are great over cooked rice or tossed with angel hair. It’s also filled with the fresh aroma of cilantro, which pairs perfectly well with the buttery garlicky sauce.
Even better, you can add as much lime juice or chili powder as you want, tailoring the experience to your preference.
For those who love the gorgeous way that lime’s unique tartness complements the shrimp, don’t forget to check out our Tequila Lime Shrimp Recipe and Cilantro Lime Shrimp Recipe.
It’s Also a Healthy Treat.
Healthy eating, according to the USDA, involves the gaining of sufficient micronutrients while setting out certain dietary limits. This recipe may not be packed with tons of veggies, but it is still a healthy dish with a moderate nutritional profile.
In particular, it contains 476 calories, 4.8 g saturated fats, and 566.6 mg sodium within each serving. These are the aspects we want to regulate when formulating main dishes, and these numbers are within the upper limits.
At Healthy Recipes 101, we like to pair dishes to make meals that are both delicious and nutrient rich. This shrimp and rice dish is paired with an avocado salad and orange juice, providing plenty of vitamin C, among many more nutrients in various amounts.
The Ingredients Are Very Basic.
There are peeled shrimp, limes, garlic, butter, spices, lots of cilantro, and of course, cooked rice:
If convenience is your top priority, add frozen shrimp to your shopping list. Unlike fresh shrimp, they come already peeled and deveined and don’t need to be thawed prior, either. Fresh shrimp, however, will work just as well — we list both the measurements for whole shrimp and peeled shrimp in the recipe card.
Limes and shrimp are the perfect pair — some people even eat boiled shrimp with a lime juice, salt, and pepper dip. Make sure to buy plenty of limes as you’ll also need some slices for decoration.
Besides the garlic and butter, you’ll need some hot spices like cayenne or red chili powder. We also use paprika, but for its red shade rather than its heat. Cajun also complements the shrimp nicely. Finally, some cumin to complete the flavor profile.
For measurements, check out our ‘chili lime shrimp recipe’ card at the bottom.
Storage and Reheating
This meal is both fridge and freezer friendly. Seal it up in airtight containers and store it in the fridge for 5 days, or place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Label the containers with dates so you’ll know when they expire.
To reheat, simply stir this dish in a saucepan with some water, until the shrimp is heated through. It’s usually 2 minutes if refrigerated, and up to 5 minutes if frozen.
The rice, also, can be stored in the same manner. To serve, either steam the rice for about 10 minutes or microwave it with some hot water, 1 tbsp per 1 cup.
If your fridge is already filling up, start using sealable bags instead of containers. You can divide the dish into small portions, each placed into a different bag so you can thaw just the amount you want.
What to Serve With
We’re pairing the tangy, hot-spiced dish with a creamy avocado salad with fresh tomatoes and a basic lemon dressing. All is completed with a glass of ‘simply’ orange juice, a classic tart-sweet refresher.
- Chili Lime Shrimp
- Avocado Salad
- Simply Orange Juice
You May Also Like
- Kung Pao Shrimp Recipe
- Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe
- Shrimp Diablo Recipe
- Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Recipe
Chili Lime Shrimp Recipe
Save our chili lime shrimp recipe for easy, delicious meals whenever you run short on time. It literally takes 15 minutes.
- cook TIME 7 mins
- prep TIME 8 mins
- total TIME 15 mins
- COURSE Main Course
- CUISINE Mexican
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 476 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 13 oz peeled shrimp (from 26 oz whole shrimp)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 6 dried chilis
- 2 oz limes (sliced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 4 cups cooked medium-grain rice
INSTRUCTIONS
Melt 2 1/2 tbsp butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, until melted. Stir in 1 tbsp garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add 13 oz peeled shrimp along with 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/4 tsp chili powder, and 1/4 tsp cumin. Stir to cook for about 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and garnish with 1/4 cup cilantro, 2 oz lime slices, and 6 dried chilis.
Enjoy with 4 cups of cooked rice.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary ConsultantLuna Regina
Writer, AuthorNatalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer- Allison ScarpaTangy chili lime shrimp, so good.