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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.

A skillet of creamy chipotle shrimp with onions and red bell peppers, garnished with chopped cilantro.
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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!

A serving of creamy chipotle shrimp served in a white bowl.

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!
Large shrimps cooked in a skillet, top view.

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. 

A bowl of creamy chipotle shrimp coated in a smoky, spicy cream sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro.

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. 
Overhead shot of creamy chipotle shrimp in a spicy, creamy sauce ready to be enjoyed.

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.

Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

Course: Main CourseCuisine: American
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Calories

428

kcal

This creamy chipotle shrimp is an easy one-skillet meal no one can resist! With a luscious and spicy cream sauce, this dish is over the top.

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped

  • 1/2 red onion, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1/2 cup sour cream

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can of chipotle peppers)

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  • Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp to a plate.
  • In a food processor or blender, combine the sour cream, heavy cream, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and lime juice. Blend until smooth.
  • Pour the chipotle cream sauce into the skillet with the peppers and onions. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt to taste.
  • Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are warmed through.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Enjoy!

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author avatar
Kim - InsanelyGood
Hey there! I'm Kim. I love running, cooking, and curling up with a good book! I share recipes for people who LOVE good food, but want to keep things simple :)

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