Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

Creamy chipotle shrimp is about to be one of your new favorite dinners!

Succulent shrimp swim in a velvety chipotle cream sauce with bell peppers and onions.

Spicy, smoky, creamy, and zesty, this recipe is exploding with flavor!

But you want to know the best part? You can whip up this easy one-pan wonder in 30 minutes or less! It doesn’t get much better than that.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

Quick Prep: Ready in 30 minutes, this impressive one-skillet meal is ideal for weeknights and dinner parties alike.

Smoky & Spicy: The spicy, smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce perfectly complement the succulent shrimp and creamy sauce. It’s mouthwatering.

Versatile Pairing: Serve it with rice, pasta, or warm tortillas for a complete meal. Say, you could even use it as a taco filling if you like!

One-Pan Wonder: You cook the entire dish in just one skillet. So there’s less fuss and less mess to clean up!

Ingredients

• Large Shrimp: Be sure to use fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp. 
  
• Red Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Garlic: The holy trinity of flavor! They’re the ideal accompaniment for juicy shrimp and the creamy sauce.
  
• Olive Oil: Use a splash for sautéing.
  
• Salt and Pepper: To enhance all those wonderful flavors. 
  
• Sour Cream: This creamy addition lends a luscious texture and a subtle zing to the sauce.
  
• Heavy Cream: To create a rich and silky smooth sauce. 
  
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: These peppers bring depth, smoke, and heat to the sauce. 
  
• Lime Juice: The acidity cuts through the richness, adding a zesty kick that livens up the dish.
  
• Fresh Cilantro: For a fresh burst of flavor!

How to Make Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

I’d swear this dish came from a restaurant if I didn’t make it myself. Seriously, it’s that good. But it’s so easy to make!

1. Saute. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the bell pepper and onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute.

2. Cook. Add the seasoned shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.

3. Blend. Blend the sour cream, heavy cream, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and lime juice. 

4. Simmer. Pour the chipotle cream sauce into the skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt.

5. Combine. Add the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

6. Garnish. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Serve hot. 

Tips for the Best Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

I’ve included some helpful tips to ensure this dish turns out perfect.

• Get ’em nice and dry. Before cooking, be sure to pat dry the shrimp to achieve the best texture.
  
• Adjust the heat. For more or less spice, adjust the amount of chipotle peppers and adobo sauce to your liking.
  
• Skip the dairy. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk instead of sour cream and heavy cream. Keep in mind the flavor and texture will vary.
  
• Pick another protein. This sauce is versatile. So you can pair it with other proteins like salmon, chicken, or tofu. However, the cooking times will vary.
  
• Try tasty add-ins. For more flavor and texture, try some add-ins. Corn, black beans, bacon, diced tomatoes, or diced avocado work well. 

How to Store

This dish is so tasty, I doubt there will be leftovers! But if there are, here’s how to store them:

To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. 

To Freeze: Transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container or bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

To Reheat: Gently reheat the shrimp in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave on medium power in short intervals, stirring in between.