Description
Spicy Cajun Shrimp delivers a fiery Louisiana-style seafood experience that dances with bold pepper and herb flavors. Crispy, zesty shrimp will make you crave another bite of this classic Southern culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb uncooked shrimp (453.6 grams)
- 10 oz Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (283.5 grams)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
Protein and Dairy:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup cheddar jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cups heavy cream
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp completely in cold water, ensuring quick and even defrosting. Thoroughly pat shrimp dry with paper towels to prevent steaming and promote proper searing.
- Coat shrimp generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat skillet until oil is hot and shimmering. Add shrimp and bell peppers, cooking rapidly—approximately 1-2 minutes per side. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
- Remove shrimp from pan. Deglaze skillet using reserved tomato juice, scraping accumulated flavor bits from bottom. This technique maximizes sauce complexity.
- Introduce butter and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Incorporate flour, stirring continuously to eliminate raw flour taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes to develop rich base.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth, cream, and spice mixture. Simmer sauce for 10 minutes, allowing gradual thickening. Consistency should transform from thin to creamy.
- Slowly sprinkle cheese into sauce, stirring to ensure smooth melting. Reduce heat to prevent separation.
- Return seared shrimp and peppers to sauce. Squeeze fresh lime juice for vibrant brightness. Gently mix to combine flavors.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and glossy.
Notes
- Thaw shrimp gently in cold water to preserve texture and avoid bacterial growth, ensuring even cooking and optimal flavor absorption.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to achieve perfect searing and prevent steaming, which can make the seafood tough and less appealing.
- Monitor cooking time meticulously since shrimp cook rapidly and can become rubbery if overdone, aiming for 1-2 minutes per side maximum.
- Deglaze pan with reserved tomato juice to capture deep, concentrated flavors stuck to the cooking surface, enhancing the overall sauce complexity.
- Toast flour briefly in butter to eliminate raw taste and create a rich, nutty base for the sauce, preventing graininess and improving overall texture.
- Whisk cream sauce continuously while adding liquid to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, velvety consistency that coats ingredients perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg