Stir-Fried Malaysian Sambal Prawns with Aromatic Chilies

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A fiery and fragrant stir-fry showcasing succulent prawns tossed in a rich sambal chili paste with fresh aromatics. This Malaysian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs large prawns, peeled and deveined, vegetable oil, shallots, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 3, 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Malaysian cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

400 grams large prawns, peeled and deveined
3 tbsp vegetable oil
3 shallots, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 fresh red chilies, sliced
2 tbsp sambal chili paste
1 tbsp tamarind paste
1 tsp palm sugar
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 thinly sliced shallots, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 sliced fresh red chilies; stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the shallots soften.
Step 2: Add 400 grams prawns to the wok, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and just cooked through.
Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons sambal chili paste, 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, and 1 teaspoon palm sugar; cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the prawns.
Step 4: Pour in 3 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, stirring well to combine and simmer for another minute to balance flavors.
Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves over the prawns before serving hot with steamed rice.