Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Cheese Quesadilla with Lime Sour Cream

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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A vibrant quesadilla packed with chipotle-spiced shrimp and melted cheese, accompanied by a tangy lime-infused sour cream for dipping. This Mexican-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, chipotle chili powder, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 12 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 10 medium shrimp with 1 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp and chop roughly.
  2. Step 2: Wipe skillet clean and reduce heat to medium. Place 1 large flour tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over half, then scatter half the chopped shrimp on top. Fold the tortilla over and cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden and crisp. Repeat with second tortilla.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup sour cream with 2 tsp fresh lime juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, stirring until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve warm with lime sour cream on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Cheese Quesadilla with Lime Sour Cream take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (12 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Cheese Quesadilla with Lime Sour Cream?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Cheese Quesadilla with Lime Sour Cream?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Cheese Quesadilla with Lime Sour Cream for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Cheese Quesadilla with Lime Sour Cream?

Mexican seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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