Description
Sweet chili garlic shrimp is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp tossed in a sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy glaze made from Asian sweet chili sauce, garlic, and a splash of lime. Perfect served over rice or noodles, this dish makes an easy weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer with bold, savory, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thicker sauce)
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and lightly season with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Stir in the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, and optional crushed red pepper flakes for some heat. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch slurry and simmer the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Heat Through and Serve: Cook for an additional 1 minute to heat everything through. Serve the shrimp hot, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Serve this dish over jasmine rice, noodles, or inside lettuce cups for a lower-carb option.
- Frozen shrimp can be used; just ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or skipping the crushed red pepper flakes depending on your heat preference.
