Honey Chipotle Shrimp Recipe

This sweet, spicy Honey Chipotle Shrimp Recipe is made with jumbo shrimp, smoky chipotle peppers in adobo, and pure honey, ready in just 15 minutes. The rich glaze bubbles and thickens in the pan, coating each piece in a sticky, irresistible sauce. I love serving this over rice for a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner.

Restaurant-Quality At Home

I used to order similar glazed shrimp dishes at my local casual dining spots, assuming the sticky sauce required a long reduction. The truth is, honey and adobo sauce naturally caramelize together rapidly when hit with high heat.

My biggest mistake early on was using too much adobo sauce without balancing it. Adding a splash of lime juice at the end cuts through the sweetness and heat perfectly.

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Honey Chipotle Shrimp Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

How To Make Honey Chipotle Shrimp Recipe

1. Prep the Shrimp: Pat the peeled shrimp completely dry with paper towels, then season evenly with salt and black pepper.
2. Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced garlic, and lime juice until smooth.
3. Sear the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the shrimp in a single layer.
4. Cook and Flip: Sear for 2 minutes until the bottoms turn pink, then flip each shrimp using tongs.
5. Add the Sauce: Pour the honey chipotle mixture over the shrimp immediately after flipping.
6. Glaze and Serve: Let the sauce bubble and reduce for 1 to 2 minutes until sticky and coating the shrimp, then remove from heat and garnish with cilantro.

Recipe Tips

• Dry the shrimp well: Moisture on the outside of the shrimp prevents a good sear and waters down your sticky glaze.
• Control the heat: Chipotle peppers vary in spiciness; start with one tablespoon if you are sensitive to heat.
• Watch the pan closely: Honey burns very quickly, so only add the sauce during the final minute of cooking.

What To Serve With Honey Chipotle Shrimp

This sticky shrimp pairs perfectly with a bowl of fluffy white rice or cilantro lime quinoa to soak up the extra sauce. You can also tuck the glazed shrimp into warm corn tortillas with crunchy cabbage slaw for quick tacos.

How To Store

Keep leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water so the honey glaze does not burn. Freezing is not recommended as the shrimp texture will become rubbery upon thawing.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, just thaw them completely under cold running water and dry them thoroughly before cooking.
• Can I substitute the chipotle peppers? You can use a mix of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, but you will miss out on the authentic smoky adobo flavor.
• Is this recipe dairy-free? Yes, this recipe uses olive oil instead of butter, making it completely dairy-free.
• Should I leave the tails on? Leaving the tails on makes for a nicer presentation, but taking them off makes the shrimp much easier to eat in bowls or tacos.

Nutrition

• Calories: 210
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 143mg
• Sodium: 450mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 16g
• Protein: 23g