Sizzling Coconut Chili Shrimp Recipe: Sweet Meets Spicy Magic

Crispy coconut chili shrimp dance with vibrant flavors that spark culinary excitement instantly.

Seafood enthusiasts will adore this zesty combination of sweet and spicy elements.

Bold spices mingle perfectly with succulent prawns, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Tropical ingredients blend seamlessly in this quick and delectable dish.

Caribbean-inspired marinades infuse each bite with incredible depth and complexity.

Home cooks can easily replicate restaurant-quality results with minimal kitchen skills.

Prepare to embark on a delicious adventure that promises to delight your taste buds and impress everyone at the dinner table.

Why Coconut Chili Shrimp Packs A Flavor Punch

• Spice Up Your Meal: Deliver a thrilling flavor explosion with this coconut chili shrimp that combines sweet, spicy, and tangy notes in one spectacular dish.
• Simplify Cooking Techniques: Master a restaurant-quality recipe using basic kitchen skills, requiring minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation steps that anyone can follow.
• Create Versatile Dining Experience: Perfect for casual weeknight dinners, date nights, or entertaining guests, this recipe transitions seamlessly between different meal settings with its impressive presentation and bold flavors.
• Quick Protein Solution: Prepare a protein-packed meal in minutes, offering a nutritious option that satisfies hunger while delivering complex taste profiles without extensive cooking time.

Everything You’ll Need For Coconut Chili Shrimp

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that provides the protein base for this tropical and spicy dish.
• Coconut Milk: Creamy liquid that creates a rich and smooth sauce with a distinctive tropical flavor.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps sauté the ingredients and prevent sticking.

• Garlic, Jalapeño Peppers: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and spicy heat to the shrimp.
• Chili Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Honey: Sweet ingredient that balances the spicy and tangy elements of the recipe.
• Lime Juice: Citrus component that adds brightness and helps cut through the richness.

• Shredded Coconut, Cilantro: Toppings that provide additional texture, flavor, and visual appeal to the finished dish.

Coconut Chili Shrimp Made Easy Step-By-Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a perfect cooking surface that will transform your shrimp into a flavor-packed masterpiece.

Step 2: Aromatic Flavor Builders

• Minced garlic
• Chopped jalapeño peppers

Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrance and the ingredients soften slightly.

Step 3: Introduce the Shrimp

Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side. Watch them turn a beautiful pink with a golden-kissed exterior.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently toss to ensure every single shrimp gets coated with these flavor-packed spices.

Step 5: Creamy Coconut Magic

Pour coconut milk into the skillet, letting it simmer and create a rich, velvety sauce that hugs the shrimp for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Sweet and Tangy Twist

Drizzle honey into the mixture, stirring to balance the spicy notes with a subtle sweetness that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 7: Citrus Burst

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp, adding a bright, zesty kick that cuts through the richness.

Step 8: Sauce Transformation

Reduce heat to low, allowing the sauce to thicken and create a luxurious glaze that clings to every succulent shrimp for 1-2 minutes.

Step 9: Final Flourish

• Shredded coconut
• Chopped cilantro

Add texture and a fresh herbaceous pop that elevates the entire dish.

Step 10: Serve and Devour

Remove from heat immediately and serve. Each bite promises a explosion of tropical, spicy, and creamy flavors that’ll transport you to culinary paradise.

Smart Tips For Cooking Coconut Chili Shrimp

• Select Fresh Seafood: Choose large, high-quality shrimp that are firm, translucent, and have a mild ocean scent for the best flavor and texture.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust jalapeño and chili powder quantities to match your heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder results or adding extra for more kick.
• Perfect Shrimp Cooking: Avoid overcooking by watching for pink color and slight curl – this ensures tender, juicy shrimp without becoming rubbery.
• Balance Flavor Depths: Taste and adjust honey, lime juice, and salt to create a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory notes in the sauce.
• Enhance Presentation: Toast shredded coconut briefly in a dry pan before garnishing to intensify its nutty aroma and add a golden, crunchy element.

Fresh Spins On Coconut Chili Shrimp

• Thai-Inspired Coconut Chili Shrimp: Add lemongrass, ginger, and fish sauce for an authentic Southeast Asian profile that enhances the seafood's natural sweetness.
• Caribbean Rum-Infused Coconut Shrimp: Incorporate dark rum during sauce reduction, creating a deeper caramelized flavor with tropical undertones and slight alcohol warmth.
• Grilled Coconut Chili Shrimp Skewers: Marinate shrimp in coconut milk mixture before threading onto skewers and grilling, developing smoky char marks and intense seasoning.
• Mediterranean Herb Coconut Shrimp: Replace cilantro with fresh oregano and basil, then add crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean coastal-inspired variation with tangy complexity.

What Tastes Great With Coconut Chili Shrimp

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the spicy-sweet coconut shrimp, cutting through the creamy sauce with its bright, acidic profile.
• Create Tropical Rice Side: Prepare coconut jasmine rice with a hint of lime zest, matching the recipe's flavor notes and providing a smooth, complementary base that absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Serve with Cooling Cucumber Salad: Craft a light cucumber salad dressed with mint and yogurt, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the dish's spicy and rich elements, balancing heat and providing textural contrast.

Storage Tips For Coconut Chili Shrimp

• Transfer leftover shrimp to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep sauce and shrimp together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Place cooled shrimp in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring minimal freezer burn.
• Gently warm refrigerated shrimp in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of coconut milk to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until just warmed through to preserve tenderness.
• Separate sauce and shrimp if planning to store for multiple days, storing them in different containers to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.

Coconut Chili Shrimp Questions Answered

• What kind of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Large or jumbo shrimp are ideal because they hold up well during cooking and provide a nice meaty texture. Make sure they are peeled and deveined for easy preparation.

• Can I make this dish less spicy?

Absolutely! Reduce the amount of jalapeño peppers or remove the seeds to decrease heat. You can also substitute jalapeños with mild green bell peppers for a completely mild version.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your chili powder and coconut milk are certified gluten-free if you have strict dietary requirements.

• How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and curl slightly, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side.

Coconut Chili Shrimp Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling Coconut Chili Shrimp delivers a tropical explosion of flavors that dance across palates with zesty Thai-inspired excitement. Crisp succulent shrimp nestled in a creamy coconut sauce promise a culinary adventure you won’t soon forget.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

Produce:

• 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Pantry and Dairy:

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 2 tbsp honey

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a large skillet by heating olive oil over medium-high heat, ensuring an even coating on the cooking surface.
2. Add minced garlic and chopped jalapeño peppers to the skillet, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
3. Introduce the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and develop a light golden exterior.
4. Sprinkle chili powder, salt, and black pepper over the shrimp, gently tossing to distribute the seasonings evenly.
5. Pour coconut milk into the skillet, allowing the liquid to simmer and create a rich, creamy sauce around the shrimp for 2-3 minutes.
6. Drizzle honey into the mixture, stirring to incorporate and create a subtle sweetness that balances the spicy and tangy flavors.
7. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp, infusing the dish with a bright, citrusy note.
8. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce thicken slightly, coating the shrimp in a luxurious glaze for an additional 1-2 minutes.
9. Sprinkle shredded coconut and chopped cilantro over the top, adding texture and a burst of fresh herbaceous flavor.
10. Remove from heat and serve immediately, ensuring the shrimp remain tender and the sauce is warm and inviting.

Notes

• Adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of jalapeño and chili powder for those with different spice tolerances.
• Swap shrimp with tofu or chicken to create a versatile protein option for varied dietary preferences.
• Toast the shredded coconut beforehand to enhance its nutty flavor and add an extra layer of crunchiness to the dish.
• Use light coconut milk for a lower-calorie version without compromising the creamy texture and rich taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg