Description
Spicy Cajun Shrimp delivers a zesty Louisiana-style experience with bold, fiery flavors that dance across your palate. Succulent shrimp tossed in a robust blend of cayenne, paprika, and herbs create an irresistible dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (453.6 grams) uncooked shrimp
- 10 ounces (283.5 grams) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- ¾ cup (170.1 grams) cheddar jack cheese, shredded
- 1 red bell pepper
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (44.4 milliliters) butter
- 1 ½ cups (355.4 milliliters) chicken broth
- ¾ cup (177.4 milliliters) heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) flour
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) lime juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp completely and meticulously pat dry using paper towels. Generously coat the shrimp with authentic Cajun spice blend, ensuring even coverage.
- Drain canned diced tomatoes, carefully preserving the liquid for later use. Prepare a flavor-enhancing sauce by whisking together chicken broth (240 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces), heavy cream (120 milliliters or 4 fluid ounces), honey (), and hot sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sauté red bell peppers for 30 seconds, then add seasoned shrimp and cook approximately 1 minute per side until they turn pink and slightly crisp.
- Remove shrimp and peppers from skillet, setting aside on a warm plate. Deglaze the pan with reserved tomato juice, allowing the liquid to reduce by half.
- Lower heat and incorporate butter, minced garlic, and flour into the skillet. Stir continuously to create a smooth, thickening base for the sauce.
- Gradually pour in the prepared broth mixture, then gently fold in diced tomatoes. Simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
- Return sautéed shrimp and peppers to the skillet, coating them thoroughly with the rich sauce. Warm through for an additional 2 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve immediately over rice or with crusty bread.
Notes
- Elevate your weeknight dinner with this zesty Cajun shrimp recipe that bursts with bold flavors and comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Thawing shrimp thoroughly ensures even cooking and prevents watery texture, so plan ahead by removing from freezer 30 minutes before preparation.
- Choose fresh, high-quality Gulf shrimp for the most authentic taste and best texture in this spicy Cajun-inspired dish.
- Reserve tomato juice during draining for an extra layer of depth and tanginess that enhances the overall sauce complexity.
- Keep butter cold and cut into small cubes before adding to the skillet for smoother, faster melting and better sauce consistency.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to match your personal spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 150mg