Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Cilantro (Print View)

Grilled shrimp with chili-lime marinade and bright cilantro sauce—perfect for summery dinners or entertaining.

# Components:

→ Shrimp Marinade

01 - 1 ½ pounds large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Zest and juice of 2 limes
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
08 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Cilantro Sauce

11 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
12 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
14 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and chopped
15 - 1 clove garlic
16 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
17 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ For Serving

18 - Lime wedges
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with olive oil, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss to ensure the shrimp is evenly coated. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
02 - While the shrimp is marinating, prepare the cilantro sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the cilantro leaves, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, jalapeño, garlic, Greek yogurt, and salt. Process until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
03 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes prior to use to prevent burning. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers.
04 - Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink, opaque, and exhibit light char marks.
05 - Remove the grilled shrimp from the heat and arrange them on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the prepared cilantro sauce, or serve the sauce on the side. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and chopped cilantro.
06 - Serve the Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp immediately for the best experience.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 30 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights
  • Uses simple ingredients that pack major flavor
  • Versatile as an appetizer party pleaser or main course
  • Naturally gluten free with easy dairy free options
02 -
  • Shrimp cook extremely quickly so keep a close eye to prevent overcooking
  • The marinade works in just 15 minutes making this truly weeknight friendly
  • This recipe doubles easily for larger gatherings without any adjustments
03 -
  • Always pat shrimp dry before marinating to ensure better flavor absorption and prevent steaming during cooking
  • Thread shrimp through both the tail and head end to keep them secure on skewers during grilling
  • For the most vibrant cilantro sauce use stems and leaves as the stems contain intense flavor often missing when using leaves alone

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