Chili Lime Shrimp with Avocado Salsa (Printable)

Vibrant shrimp with zesty spices served over fluffy rice topped with cool avocado salsa.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Shrimp Marinade

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp chili powder
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Rice

10 - 1 cup long grain white rice
11 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
13 - 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
14 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
15 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Avocado Salsa

16 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
17 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
18 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes

22 - Lime wedges
23 - Extra chopped cilantro

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss to coat thoroughly. Let marinate for 15 minutes while preparing other components.
02 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeño; sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in rice and toast for 1 minute. Pour in broth and salt, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
03 - In a medium bowl, gently combine diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix carefully to avoid mashing the avocado.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque throughout. Remove from heat immediately.
05 - Spoon fluffy rice onto serving plates. Arrange chili-lime shrimp over the rice. Top with a generous scoop of avocado salsa. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and additional chopped cilantro.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the spicy shrimp and cool creamy avocado creates this perfect balance that keeps every bite interesting
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, yet it tastes like something from a restaurant
  • You can customize the heat level so it works for everyone at your table
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery and disappointing, so watch closely and remove them from heat as soon as they turn pink
  • The rice needs that final 5 minute rest period off the heat to finish cooking evenly and become perfectly fluffy
  • Avocado salsa is best made right before serving, but you can prep all the components ahead and combine them at the last minute
03 -
  • Pat the shrimp completely dry before marinating for better sear marks and flavor absorption
  • Room temperature shrimp cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge

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