Description
This Chili Lime Shrimp with Avocado Crema is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring fresh shrimp marinated in a zesty chili-lime blend, cooked to perfection in a skillet, and paired with a creamy avocado crema made with Greek yogurt and cilantro. It’s a quick and easy recipe perfect for a light, healthy meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 lb raw, peeled fresh shrimp
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium lime (juice only)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Avocado Crema
- 1 small/medium avocado
- 1/8 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 medium lime (juice only)
- 1/2 tsp salt or more to taste
- 1/4 cup water or more as needed
Instructions
- Marinate the Shrimp: In a small bowl, mix chili powder, salt, minced garlic, lime juice from 1 medium lime, and olive oil to create the marinade. Pat dry the defrosted shrimp and place them in a zip lock bag or medium bowl. Pour the marinade over the shrimp, making sure they are evenly coated. Let the shrimp marinate for about 30 minutes. If short on time, this step can be skipped.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil once hot. Place the marinated shrimp in the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Remove from heat promptly to avoid overcooking.
- Prepare Avocado Crema: Combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, juice from the second lime, salt, and 1/4 cup water in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add additional salt for seasoning if needed and add water one tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Drizzle the avocado crema over the cooked shrimp or serve it alongside as a dip. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For quicker preparation, marinating can be skipped but it enhances the flavor significantly.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to increase or decrease the heat level according to your preference.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best bright and tangy flavor.
- Avocado crema can be thinned with additional water or thickened by reducing the amount of water based on preference.
- Serve with warm tortillas or over a bed of greens for a complete meal.