If you love big flavor with minimal fuss, this Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe is about to become your weeknight hero! Plump, juicy shrimp are marinated and then quickly cooked in a gloriously fiery, garlicky chili crisp sauce, making every bite equal parts tantalizingly spicy and addictively crunchy. It’s one of those dishes you can whip up in twenty minutes—yet it tastes like something from your favorite restaurant!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievable Flavor: The signature chili crisp brings a magical blend of heat, crunch, and umami that transforms ordinary shrimp into a gourmet treat.
- Fast & Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and under thirty minutes, you’ll have a show-stopping main dish on the table faster than takeout.
- Totally Customizable: Mix and match with your favorite veggies, level of spice, or fresh garnishes—this recipe loves a little improvisation!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you serve it over rice, noodles, or on its own, Chili Crisp Shrimp is always a hit at the dinner table or parties.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple yet bursting with bold flavors. Each ingredient has a purpose: to enhance the shrimp, build irresistible texture, and deliver layers of savory spice that make every forkful memorable.
- Large shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined): Opt for large or extra-large shrimp for the best juicy texture and to soak up all that fabulous chili crisp.
- Chili crisp (3 tablespoons, or more to taste): The secret weapon—this crunchy, spicy condiment infuses deep flavor and a crackly bite.
- Soy sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds rich umami and balances the heat with a savory backbone.
- Sriracha or chili-garlic sauce (1 teaspoon): Ramps up the spice and helps coat the shrimp, but you can adjust up or down to taste.
- Honey (1 teaspoon): Just a touch to mellow the heat and give a luscious glaze.
- Fresh ginger, grated (1 teaspoon): Brightens things up and brings a warm zing to the marinade.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): For sautéing, ensuring the shrimp get a golden sear and the garlic gets fragrant.
- Garlic, minced (5 cloves): The aromatic backbone—don’t skimp here for best results.
- Chopped green onion or cilantro, chili flakes (for garnish): Adds a final pop of color, freshness, and extra heat if you like.
Variations
The beauty of the Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe is how easily you can riff on it. Don’t be afraid to get creative or change things up based on what you love or what’s already in your fridge!
- Swap the Protein: Try this with scallops, cubed firm tofu, or even chicken bites for a delicious twist.
- Add Veggies: Bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli florets sautéed alongside the shrimp will make it even more colorful and hearty.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to keep things strictly gluten-free.
- Lower the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, start with just one tablespoon of chili crisp and skip the sriracha—or add it at the table for spice lovers.
How to Make Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp
In a roomy mixing bowl, toss your peeled and deveined shrimp with one tablespoon of chili crisp, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and freshly grated ginger. Stir until every shrimp is coated and glossy. Cover and pop the bowl in the fridge—just a quick fifteen-minute marinade is all it needs to soak up loads of flavor before cooking.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. When the oil shimmers, add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds. Your kitchen will instantly smell incredible—this step lays the perfect base for building our punchy sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add your marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2–3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes until pink, opaque, and perfectly tender. It’s important not to crowd the pan, so the shrimp sear and develop caramelization instead of steaming.
Step 4: Finish with Chili Crisp
Remove the skillet from the heat and immediately add the remaining chili crisp. Toss to coat the shrimp thoroughly—this makes sure every piece is glistening and packs a punchy crunch in every bite. Transfer to your serving platter, sprinkle with your choice of green onions, cilantro, or chili flakes, and get ready to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe
- Chili Crisp Selection: Use your favorite brand of chili crisp, and taste before adding—some are spicier or oilier than others, so adjust to match your heat tolerance.
- Shrimp Drying Trick: Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before marinating for the best sear—they’ll fry up beautifully golden and not release too much liquid.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp are ready when just pink and curled into a “C”—overcooked shrimp get tough quickly, so keep an eye on the pan.
- Garnish Like a Pro: A sprinkle of extra chili flakes, scallions, or cilantro right before serving really wakes up the whole plate—don’t skip this step!
How to Serve Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe
Garnishes
You can bring this Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe to life with a sprinkle of chopped green onions, a scattering of fresh cilantro, or a pinch of extra chili flakes for bold heat and a burst of color. A wedge of lime or a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil also adds an extra layer of brightness and aroma.
Side Dishes
This shrimp shines over fluffy steamed rice, tender rice noodles, or even tossed into a crunchy Asian slaw. Pair it with stir-fried veggies or quickly sautéed greens to round out the plate with color and freshness—the bold sauce tastes amazing with just about anything!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, tuck the shrimp inside lettuce cups for an appetizer, spoon over sticky sushi rice in poke-style bowls, or serve them as fiery sliders in steamed bao buns. Make a platter for sharing at parties or dish into mini skillets for a dramatic main course topping—there are countless ways to wow guests with this dish!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Tuck any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors will deepen and mellow, and the shrimp stays surprisingly juicy—perfect for tossing into salads or grain bowls the next day!
Freezing
While shrimp can technically be frozen after cooking, the crispy chili topping may soften. If you do freeze, arrange the shrimp in a single layer, freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to one month. Reheat straight from frozen for best results, but fresh is always optimal for this dish.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat the Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe in a hot skillet for a minute or two, stirring gently until just warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make shrimp rubbery—if you must, use short bursts and check often.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for the Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe?
Absolutely! Just thaw your shrimp under cold running water and pat them very dry before marinating. This ensures your marinade clings and the shrimp sear properly in the pan.
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Is this recipe very spicy?
That depends on your chili crisp and how much sriracha you use. Taste your chili crisp first and adjust the quantities to suit your desired heat level—start mild and add more spice at the table if you like.
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What vegetables can I add to the Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe?
Snap peas, bell peppers, broccoli, or even thinly sliced carrots all work beautifully. Sauté them just after the garlic and before the shrimp for extra color and crunch.
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What’s the best way to serve leftovers?
Chili Crisp Shrimp is great cold or gently reheated—try them in lettuce wraps, atop a salad, or tossed into a noodle bowl. A quick blast in a hot skillet restores a bit of that signature crisp!
Final Thoughts
Give this Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe a try the next time you’re craving a quick punch of flavor with serious wow factor. It’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again—trust me, your tastebuds (and your dinner guests) will thank you!
Print
Chili Crisp Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chili Crisp Shrimp recipe is a spicy and flavorful dish that is quick and easy to make. Succulent shrimp marinated in a chili crisp, soy, and ginger mixture, then cooked to perfection with garlic and more chili crisp. Serve over rice or noodles for a delicious meal!
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons chili crisp, or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha, or chili-garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
Other:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- Garnish: Chopped green onion or fresh cilantro, chili flakes
Instructions
- Marinate Shrimp: In a large bowl, mix shrimp with 1 tablespoon chili crisp, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and ginger. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add shrimp; cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
- Finish: Remove from heat, add remaining chili crisp, toss to coat. Serve garnished over rice or noodles.
Notes
- For a heartier meal, add vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli. Sauté them with garlic before adding shrimp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
