This Chili Lime Shrimp is not only delicious, but it’s also versatile! Eat it for dinner, or use as an appetizer, on shrimp tacos, with pasta, or salad! This super easy shrimp marinade comes together quickly and the results are so satisfying!
As of a couple months ago, I am officially an empty nester. And since I’m divorced, that means cooking for one. That’s pretty challenging when you’ve spent the last 25 years cooking for six people! Shrimp dishes have become my new best friend.
I love cooking shrimp in the skillet, in my cast iron pan, and of course, on the grill! Last month I made skewered shrimp on the grill for my daughter’s bridal shower and they were fabulous. Shrimp comes together so quickly, and it’s great for dinner, lunch or as an appetizer. You can’t go wrong.
Chili Lime Shrimp
It’s funny when I made my chili lime shrimp for the first time, I literally just threw it together. There are other recipes out there on the internet, but I never looked at any of them. I always have plenty of lemons and limes on hand because they are the perfect marinade for chicken and pork, so I assumed it would be great for shrimp as well.
I tried to keep my recipe pretty simple. I’m sure you could spice it up by adding red pepper flakes or change the flavor by using a smoked paprika. I love the combination of cilantro, lime, and garlic, so that’s basically what you’ll find in this recipe.
Ingredients needed for Chili Lime Shrimp
- Peeled and deveined shrimp – you can buy shrimp already prepped, which is what I do, or you can buy it shelled and do all the work yourself. Your choice!
- Limes – please only use fresh limes. The lime juice that comes in those little plastic containers or the bottles is just not the same.
- Chili powder – just basic chili powder is fine, but if you have a variety that you like, by all means, use it!
- Garlic – fresh or jarred is fine for this marinade.
- Fresh cilantro – I love this herb more than any other! It adds great flavor combined with the lime.
- Olive oil – I use extra-light olive oil, which is good for high-temperature cooking. Extra virgin olive oil works great too!
Helpful kitchen tools
- Cast iron skillet – if you’re wondering if you can use a regular skillet, yes you can. I just like cooking in my cast iron pan as much as possible!
- Glass dish for marinating the shrimp, but a big bowl totally works too.
- Tongs – for turning your shrimp.
- Herb scissors are a staple in my kitchen, I use them several times a week.
- Electric citrus juicer or manual juicer to juice those fresh limes!
How to make Chili Lime Shrimp
- Juice two medium limes. I use this juicer. I am always juicing lemons and limes, so I keep it on the counter. For me, it’s not one of those gadgets that you never use and store away in the cabinet!
- Chop cilantro. If you use fresh herbs a lot as I do, then these herb scissors are a huge time saver. I use them all the time!
- Make the marinade. Combine the fresh lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and cilantro and mix well.
- Marinate the shrimp. Add shrimp to the marinade and turn to coat. I just use my glass square baking dish or a large bowl. Marinate the shrimp for 20 minutes, turning once or twice during the process.
- Drain shrimp. Remove the shrimp from marinade and drain on paper towels. This is what you want to do with any meat that you marinate. Draining the excess marinade and patting it dry with paper towels will allow the meat to brown nicely when you cook it. Excess marinade can burn in the pan and too much liquid will steam your food, not allowing it to brown.
- Prep the pan. Place olive oil in your cast iron skillet and preheat over medium to medium-high heat until oil is hot, but not smoking.
- Cook the shrimp. Place shrimp in hot cast iron skillet. Cook on one side for 3 minutes then turn shrimp over and cook for 2-3 minutes more. The outside of the shrimp will turn from gray to pink.
- Serve shrimp. Here’s the fun part! This can be served for dinner over a bed or rice or quinoa, or with freshly sauteed vegetables. You can easily make chili lime shrimp tacos with this recipe, or toss it with your favorite pasta. If you’re having a party, poke a fancy toothpick into each one and serve as an appetizer.
More seafood ideas
No matter how you serve this chili lime shrimp, it will be tasty, and yes, low calorie! If you love seafood, then you’ll definitely want to check out our salmon tacos, this Chinese style parchment fish, this amazing skillet broiled cod, and our Shrimp Pasta.
More Shrimp Recipes
- Grilled Shrimp
- Shrimp Tacos
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Sautéed Shrimp
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Shrimp Kabobs
- Shrimp Salad
- Blackened Shrimp
Chili Lime Shrimp
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 8 ounces peeled and deveined shrimp
- juice from 2 limes
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp garlic 3 cloves
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Combine lime juice, chili powder, garlic, and cilantro and mix well.
- Add shrimp and turn to coat.
- Marinate shrimp for 20 minutes.
- Remove shrimp from marinade and drain on paper towels.
- Place olive oil in cast iron skillet and preheat over medium to medium-high heat until oil is hot, but not smoking.
- Cook shrimp in hot cast iron skillet for 3 minutes on one side.
- Turn shrimp over and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
- Serve over rice or quinoa.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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karen says
wondering if this can be marinated more than 20 minutes? i know that marinating for longer periods of time can affect the texture of the item being marinated. i would like to take this on a getaway weekend & would like to prepare in advance so I can cook when we get there. it would probably be marinating 5 hrs before cooking. would this be a problem?
Amanda Formaro says
That will probably be too long. Since it only needs about 20-30 to marinate, I would suggest making the marinade ahead and putting it into a large zipper plastic bag. Then add the shrimp to the marinade bag 30 minutes before cooking.
Francis yau says
It’s so delicious thumbs up