Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Lime Slaw

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

Quick and flavorful shrimp tacos topped with a creamy, spicy chipotle lime slaw that balances smoky heat with bright citrus notes. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes turns pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, chipotle chili powder into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp adobo sauce, 1 tsp honey, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 tbsp minced red onion. Mix until the slaw is creamy and coated.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a griddle or in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing 3-4 shrimp in each tortilla and topping with a generous 2-3 tbsp of the chipotle lime slaw. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Lime Slaw?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Lime Slaw?

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 Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Lime Slaw 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 Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Chipotle Lime Slaw?

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.

Related recipes