Description
Creamy Tucson Shrimp is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring succulent large shrimp cooked in a rich, spiced cream sauce infused with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and coriander. This quick skillet recipe delivers a smoky, zesty, and creamy Southwest-inspired dinner perfect for serving over rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime zest (optional, for extra lime flavor)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
- Cook Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Spices: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and ground coriander. Toast the spices in the skillet for 1-2 minutes to release their aroma.
- Create Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and are opaque throughout.
- Season and Adjust: Stir in the lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste. If the sauce becomes too thick, add more chicken broth as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with chopped cilantro and optional lime zest. Serve hot over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute shrimp with firm tofu or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Adjust the chili powder amount to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Fresh lime zest adds a bright extra layer of citrus flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Serve with rice, pasta, or bread to complete the meal and complement the creamy sauce.
- To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat gently over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
