This zesty sautéed shrimp recipe is the perfect combination between tangy and savory. In only 20 minutes, and 4 easy steps you’ll have this spicy shrimp dish ready to go!
Chipotle Lime Buttered Shrimp is a delicious, spicy shrimp recipe using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice and butter. The perfect shrimp appetizer or entree!
This spicy buttered shrimp recipe only uses four ingredients to make a delectable appetizer or dinner. It can be served over white rice or even pasta.
The first time I made this recipe, I did so with head-on prawns and people were grossed out. I personally think it adds to the interest of the dish. Of course you can use regular shrimp as well if you are scared of the heads.
They were an impulse buy at the grocery store (on sale); looking all glorious in the seafood display, they had to come home with me. The rest of recipe was made up as I went along.
What goes better with shrimp than butter? For other seafood dishes I use lemon, but for this combination I chose to use lime. I’ve also been obsessed with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Most people think grilled shrimp with some sort of garlic butter sauce, fresh parsley, white wine, olive oil, lemon juice… you know the usual. Quick and easy. I wanted to break out of the traditional garlic butter shrimp mode.
What are chipotle peppers? Chipotle peppers are a form of mature jalapeno peppers that have been dried. They can also be made into red pepper flakes.
Smoky and spicy kicked the flavor of Chipotle Lime Buttered Shrimp up a few notches and took me out of the regular old garlic comfort zone. It was pure bliss. Absolutely delicious!
I make shrimp all the time ,and have been since as long as I can remember. I know some of you have never made shrimp before so if you’re wondering how to cook shrimp then I’m here to tell you how!
It’s really easier than you’re thinking, shrimp are actually one of the easiest things to cook. They cook fast and tell you when they are done.
All you have to do is add your shrimp to melted butter and saute them until they’re completely pink and you don’t see anymore grey. They will start to curl slightly.
What is adobo sauce? It is a stock composed of paprika, oregano, garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper. It has a spicy and smoky flavor and enhances the natural flavors of chipotle peppers.
Remove them from the heat and serve them immediately to eat them hot, or store your leftovers in an airtight container, cold shrimp are yummy too!
I’m sure you’ve heard the term prawn used as well as the common term, shrimp. There isn’t very much of a culinary difference between the two.
The most commonly used shrimp in the United States are:
- White Legged Shrimp
- Argentinian Shrimp
- Gulf Shrimp
- Banded Coral Shrimp
- Giant Tiger Prawn Shrimp
Sometimes people assume shrimp are smaller and prawns are larger but ultimately they’re the same thing and taste very similar.
There are actually over 300 different kinds of shrimp from all around the world and found in salt, fresh, cold, and warm water.
This Chipotle Lime Buttered Shrimp dish is perfect as an appetizer for a party or even great for a weeknight meal. To make this into an entree, serve over white or jasmine rice and add broccoli!
Check out these other easy shrimp recipes:
Shrimp Tacos with Slaw
Mexican Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip
Easy Shrimp Paella
Tools for making this shrimp appetizer:
Heavy Bottom Frying Pan– this will be one of your most used kitchen tools. Having something that is heavy bottom will distribute heat better and prevent burning whether you are using an electric or gas range.
Zester and Juicer– Another kitchen necessity! Whether it be a savory or sweet recipe, every house needs a way to zest and juice citrus.
Chipotle Lime Buttered Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup clarified butter
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce , minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice , plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 pound large shrimp , shell on
Instructions
- Heat clarified butter in a small saucepan. Stir in fresh lime juice, lime zest and chipotle peppers set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Ladle in just barely enough butter to coat the bottom and then add the prawns/shrimp. Cook on each side for 2-3 minutes or until pink.
- Pour remaining chipotle-lime butter into the skillet and heat for an additional minute to allow the flavors to marry.
- Remove to a serving dish and garnish with fresh limes wedges and serve hot.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
These were so good! I almost couldn’t stop eating them!
I love the spicy kick of these shrimp!