Spicy Shrimp Tacos combine taco-style eating with the melted cheese gooeyness of a quesadilla and spicy shrimp. These spicy shrimp tacos for two are spicy, sweet, quick and simple!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time7 minutesmins
Marinade time10 minutesmins
Total Time27 minutesmins
Servings: 2
Author: Pam Werley
Ingredients
Tacos
20mediumshrimppeeled and deveined, fresh or frozen
2½tablespoonvegetable oil
1clovegarlicminced
½teaspoonground cumin
½teaspoonchili powder
¼teaspoononion powder(optional)
¼teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonfreshly squeezed lime juice(1 small lime)
4ouncesMonterey Jack cheeseshredded (1 cup)
Creamy Sweet Chili Sriracha Sauce
¼cupMayo
¼cupbottled sweet Thai chili sauce, or to tastefound in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores
1teaspoonhot sauce(such as Sriracha)
Salt to taste
1teaspoonlime zest, or to taste
Garnishes and Tortillas
6corn tortillas(6 inch)
shredded iceberg lettuce
1diced avocado
chopped fresh cilantro
hot sauce
picante salsa
1limecut into wedges for passing
Instructions
Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 450°. In a medium bowl whisk together 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil, garlic, cumin, chili, onion powder, lime juice and salt. Place peeled and deveined shrimp in a resealable plastic bag add in the spiced oil, and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes or up to 2 days.
How to cook the shrimp
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Reduce heat to medium, stir in shrimp and the spiced oil mixture from resealable plastic bag, and cook until shrimp are just opaque, about 1 minute. Flip the shrimp, remove from heat and let set in the hot pan until opaque. Remove shrimp from pan when opaque. It is important not to over cook the shrimp. The shrimp will finish cooking in the oven when we melt the cheese
Finishing off in the oven
Brush the parchment paper or baking mat of a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoons oil. Arrange tortillas in a single layer on prepared sheets. Brush tops of tortillas with the remaining oil. Divide Monterey Jack evenly among tortillas, then top with the cooked shrimp mixture. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, until cheese melts and edges of tortillas just begin to brown and crisp, this will take about 7 to 9 minutes.
Creamy Sweet Chili Sriracha Sauce
In a small bowl, combine mayo, chili sauce, hot sauce, and lime zest in a bowl. Season with salt.
Garnish and Serve
Garnish with lettuce, avocado, creamy sweet chili sriracha sauce, cilantro and hot sauce. Fold tacos in half. Transfer the tacos to a serving platter. Serve, passing lime wedges separately.