Citrus and Chili Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Juicy shrimp marinated in a zesty citrus and chili mix, grilled to perfection and served on skewers for a light Mexican seafood dish. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 48 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp chipotle chile powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 8 soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp chipotle chile powder, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until combined.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Step 4: Thread shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, about 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
- Step 5: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque with slight char marks.
- Step 6: Remove from grill, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over shrimp, and serve immediately with lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus and Chili Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 48 minutes (40 min prep + 8 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 Citrus and Chili Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus and Chili Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers?
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 Citrus and Chili Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Citrus and Chili Marinated Grilled Shrimp Skewers?
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.
