Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Sizzling Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers Recipe: A Tangy Delight

Succulent sweet chili shrimp skewers burst with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate.

Marinades infuse every juicy morsel with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Grilling brings out incredible caramelized notes that make these skewers irresistible.

Tender shrimp absorb zesty seasonings, creating a mouthwatering dish that impresses at backyard gatherings.

Quick and simple preparation means you can whip up this crowd-pleasing appetizer in minutes.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver maximum taste with minimal effort.

Savor each delectable bite and watch how these skewers become the star of your next meal.

Why Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers Are A Backyard Favorite

  • Blast Bold Flavors: Experience a tantalizing fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory notes that dance on your taste buds with minimal ingredient complexity.
  • Master Quick Grilling: Perfectly cooked shrimp in just minutes, making this recipe ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous weekend gatherings with friends and family.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows simple ingredient swaps or adjustments to suit different dietary preferences and spice tolerance levels.
  • Impress Without Stress: Restaurant-quality dish that looks sophisticated but requires basic cooking skills, ensuring anyone can create a stunning meal with confidence.

What You’ll Need For Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers

Main Protein:
  • Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the primary protein and star of the dish.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Sweet Chili Sauce, Soy Sauce: Provide a complex sweet and savory flavor base for the shrimp.
  • Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy acidity to balance the marinade.
  • Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps create caramelization during grilling.
  • Garlic: Delivers a robust, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.
Garnish and Seasoning:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the shrimp.
  • Green Onions, Cilantro Leaves: Fresh herbs that add color, brightness, and a crisp finish to the dish.
  • Sesame Seeds: Provide a subtle nutty crunch and visual appeal to the grilled shrimp skewers.

How To Cook Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers With Ease

How To Cook Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers With Ease

Step 1: Whip Up Zesty Marinade

In a mixing bowl, blend together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and honey. Whisk the ingredients until they create a smooth, vibrant marinade that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Bathe Shrimp in Flavor

  • Peeled and deveined shrimp

Add the shrimp to the marinade, gently tossing to ensure each piece is completely coated. Pop the bowl into the refrigerator and let the shrimp soak up the delicious flavors for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, aiming for around 400°F. This will create the perfect cooking surface for your shrimp.

Step 4: Skewer with Style

Carefully thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers, spacing them evenly to guarantee even cooking. Pro tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning.

Step 5: Season and Sizzle

Lightly sprinkle salt and black pepper over the skewered shrimp. Place them on the hot grill, letting them sizzle and char slightly.

Step 6: Grill to Perfection

Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Look for a beautiful pink, opaque color with slight charred edges – this means they’re cooked to perfection.

Step 7: Rest and Relax

Remove the skewers from the heat and let them rest for 1-2 minutes. This helps the shrimp retain their juicy moisture.

Step 8: Garnish and Glamorize

Transfer the grilled shrimp to a serving platter. Sprinkle with:
  • Chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Step 9: Final Flavor Flourish

Drizzle any remaining marinade over the skewers for an extra punch of flavor. Serve hot and watch your guests dive in with delight!

Smart Tips For Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers

  • Quick Marinating Trick: Let shrimp sit in marinade for exactly 15-20 minutes to prevent seafood from becoming tough or overly salty.
  • Perfect Grilling Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat around 400°F to achieve beautiful caramelization without burning delicate shrimp.
  • Skewer Spacing Strategy: Leave small gaps between shrimp to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding on the grill.
  • No Waste Flavor Hack: Reserve leftover marinade to drizzle over finished skewers, enhancing the overall taste without introducing raw marinade.
  • Garnish Like a Pro: Sprinkle fresh herbs and sesame seeds just before serving to add vibrant color and textural contrast to the dish.

Try These Fun Twists On Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers

  • Asian Fusion Shrimp Skewers: Replace sweet chili sauce with Korean gochujang paste, adding a spicy and tangy profile while maintaining the marinade's core ingredients.
  • Caribbean Rum Shrimp Skewers: Incorporate dark rum and orange zest into the marinade for a tropical flavor, creating a Caribbean-inspired seafood experience.
  • Mediterranean Herb Shrimp Skewers: Swap honey with olive oil, add dried oregano, thyme, and lemon zest to transform the recipe into a Mediterranean-style grilled dish.
  • Coconut Curry Shrimp Skewers: Mix in coconut milk and mild yellow curry powder to the marinade, delivering a creamy and aromatic Southeast Asian-inspired variation.

Perfect Pairings For Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers

  • Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling that complements the sweet chili's tangy profile, balancing the shrimp's spicy and zesty marinade with its bright acidity and fruity undertones.
  • Match with Asian Slaw: Create a refreshing side of shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions dressed in a light rice vinegar and sesame oil dressing to cut through the rich, sweet chili flavors and provide a crunchy contrast.
  • Serve with Coconut Rice: Prepare jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk, adding a creamy, tropical dimension that harmonizes with the sweet and spicy shrimp, absorbing the marinade's complex flavors and offering a soothing backdrop.

How To Store Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers After Grilling

  • Store leftover sweet chili shrimp skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
  • Seal cooled shrimp skewers in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 1 month, ensuring best quality and taste.
  • Warm refrigerated skewers gently in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent rubbery texture and maintain original grilled quality.
  • Marinate shrimp and prepare skewers up to 24 hours in advance, storing covered in the refrigerator until ready to grill.

Questions About Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers Answered

  • How do I prevent shrimp from sticking to the grill?

Pat shrimp dry before marinating and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking and ensure easy skewer removal.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen shrimp completely, drain excess water, and pat dry before marinating to maintain the best texture and flavor absorption.

  • What type of shrimp works best for skewers?

Large or jumbo shrimp (16-20 count) are ideal, as they are easier to skewer and provide a more substantial bite with even cooking.

  • How do I know when shrimp are fully cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink, curl slightly, and become opaque, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side on a medium-high heat grill.

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Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers Recipe

Sweet Chili Shrimp Skewers Recipe


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4.9 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling sweet chili shrimp skewers bring summer grilling magic to your table with zesty Thai-inspired flavors. Perfectly charred and glazed, these skewers offer a delicious blend of spicy and sweet that will leave guests craving more.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1.5 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined

Marinade and Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp honey

Garnish and Accompaniments:

  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Skewers:

  • 68 wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

  1. Whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and honey in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant marinade.
  2. Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
  3. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F), preparing for direct grilling.
  4. Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers, spacing them evenly to promote uniform cooking.
  5. Lightly season skewered shrimp with salt and black pepper before placing on the hot grill.
  6. Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, watching for a pink, opaque color and slight charred edges indicating they are perfectly cooked.
  7. Remove skewers from heat and let rest for 1-2 minutes to retain moisture.
  8. Transfer grilled shrimp to a serving platter, generously garnishing with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro leaves.
  9. Drizzle any remaining marinade over the skewers for an extra flavor boost before serving hot.

Notes

  • Marinate shrimp briefly to prevent tough texture, avoiding longer than 20 minutes as citrus and soy sauce can start breaking down delicate proteins.
  • Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and potential flame flare-ups during cooking.
  • Select large or jumbo shrimp for better grilling results, ensuring even cooking and preventing overcooking that leads to rubbery consistency.
  • Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting honey with agave nectar for vegan version, or using gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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