Description
This Colossal Shrimp in a Spicy Sauce recipe features perfectly seared jumbo shrimp bathed in a flavorful, slightly smoky tomato-based sauce with a kick of heat from crushed red pepper flakes and hot sauce. The dish is quick to prepare, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight main course. Garnished with fresh herbs, it pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1½ pounds colossal shrimp (U-15 count), peeled and deveined
Sauce & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Sriracha or your favorite)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and ensure proper searing.
- Sear Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and develop a slightly golden crust. Remove shrimp and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika to the same skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the sauce’s flavors and remove its raw taste.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the skillet, which adds depth to the sauce.
- Build Sauce: Stir in lemon juice and hot sauce, mixing well to combine all flavors. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Finish Cooking Shrimp: Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes just to reheat the shrimp through without overcooking.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top for brightness and serve immediately, ideally over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Serve over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Make sure to not overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
