Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Lime Sauce

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

Tender shrimp quickly cooked in a zesty garlic and chili lime sauce, perfect for a spicy seafood entrée. This latin american-inspired seafood ready in about 11 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 5 min Cook: 6 min Serves 2 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 12 oz large shrimp and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without stirring until the edges turn pink and slightly opaque.
  4. Step 4: Flip shrimp and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes; sauté together for 1-2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 3 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 tbsp honey, tossing to coat shrimp evenly and create a glossy sauce.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro over the shrimp and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Lime Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 11 minutes (5 min prep + 6 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 with Garlic and Chili Lime Sauce?

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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Lime Sauce?

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 with Garlic and Chili Lime Sauce 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Lime Sauce?

Latin American 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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