Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

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This creamy chipotle shrimp recipe is a mouth-watering dinner you can whip up in just 30 minutes. Jumbo shrimp are coated in a creamy and zesty chipotle sauce, then topped with fresh herbs and peppers for a spicy kick. Shrimp have never tasted so good!

Creamy chipotle shrimp in a saute pan with garnish.

Nothing’s better than cooking up restaurant quality meals right at home. Especially when they’re easy to make yet look like dinner party showstoppers. This one-pan creamy chipotle shrimp recipe is one such meal.

It’s incredibly flavorful with just the right amount of kick to it – all thanks to chipotle peppers. Enjoy this on a bed of rice, zucchini noodles or sauteéd vegetables. Either way, this light and cozy dish is something that can be enjoyed all year round!

Simple Ingredients For A Healthy Dinner

You won’t believe how easy this recipe comes together with just a few ingredients. But one thing that makes this dish is the homemade chipotle sauce. Whip that up in a quick minute, then mix it in with the rest of the ingredients below.

  • Shrimp: Frozen jumbo shrimp are my favorite, but any size will work.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers have a sweeter flavor compared to green bell peppers.
  • Garlic and Green Onion: Aromatic essentials to amp up the overall flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper: Always ties everything together!
  • Chipotle Sauce: This homemade version is so easy and incredibly delicious. Much better than store-bought!
  • Milk: Feel free to use any dairy or non-dairy milk here.
  • Garnishings: Top it off with chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeno peppers for an extra kick.

Ingredients for making the recipe on a white background.

Creamy Chipotle Shrimp: The Best 30 Minute Meal

For this recipe, just sauté the shrimp for a bit – then let the sauce do the talking. Here’s how to make it.

  1. Sauté shrimp:In a pan over medium-heat, drizzle olive oil and sauté the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes. Then set aside in a bowl.
  2. Sauté bell pepper: Add in the bell pepper with extra olive oil and sauté for another 4 minutes.
  3. Add in the aromatics: Add the garlic, green onions, and season with salt and pepper. Give it all a stir.
  4. In comes the chipotle sauce: Mix in the chipotle sauce and milk. Bring it to a simmer, then add the shrimp back in.
  5. Garnish with the rest of the green onions, cilantro, and sliced jalapeno peppers. If you don’t want it too spicy, you can omit the peppers.

Making the creamy chipotle shrimp recipe in a saute pan on the stove.

Tasty Serving Suggestions

These mouth-watering shrimp go with just about anything! You can spoon it over a base or serve it alongside savory sides. Either way, the below options will round out this quick and easy meal.

For a hearty dinner, serve this with:

For a lighter meal, serve this with:

Close up photo of creamy chipotle shrimp in the pan.

Dairy-Free Variations

To make this recipe dairy-free, just swap the sour cream for cashew sour cream and use non-dairy milk. Super easy!

How To Store and Freeze

On a time crunch? This is the perfect freezer meal you can keep on hand.

  • To Store: For storing leftovers, place them in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
  • To Freeze: Pour it into a freezer safe container or bag and store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
  • To Thaw: When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then reheat on the stovetop or microwave. It’ll taste as good as new!

Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Recipe Video

Want to see how I make this recipe in my kitchen? Watch the video below!

More Easy Shrimp Recipes For Busy Weeknights

Tossing shrimp in a rich and creamy sauce is just one way to enjoy this seafood. But if you’ve got extra on hand, give these shrimp recipes a try. They’re oh so easy and just as delicious.

Creamy chipotle shrimp in a saute pan sprinkled with cilantro and peppers.

Creamy Chipotle Shrimp

4.96 from 91 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Creamy chipotle shrimp is a one-pan easy shrimp recipe that's bursting with zesty flavor! This might just be the tastiest weeknight meal to enjoy. Watch the video above!

Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound shrimp
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 green onions, sliced with green and white parts separated
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 recipe chipotle sauce
  • 1/2 cup milk, dairy or non-dairy
  • garnish with chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeno

Instructions 

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saute pan on medium heat. Add the shrimp and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through and opaque. Remove them to a bowl.
  • In that same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and add the bell pepper and saute for 4-5 minutes.
  • Then add the garlic, white parts of the green onion, salt and pepper. Stir for another 2 minutes.
  • Pour in the chipotle sauce and milk and stir to combine. Then add the shrimp back to the pan to warm through.
  • Garnish with the green parts of the green onion, chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeno pepper.

Lisa's Tips

To store: Place it in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
To freeze: Pour it into a freezer safe container or bag and store for up to 3 months.
To thaw: When you're ready to eat,  let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then re-heat it on the stovetop or microwave. It'll taste as good as new!

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 324mg | Sodium: 1127mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1803IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 5mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chipotle Shrimp Recipe, Creamy Chipotle Shrimp, Shrimp Recipe
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.96 from 91 votes

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Recipe Rating




220 Comments

  1. Can I use chipotle dressing instead I’m afraid to touch those peppers, it looks like you’re really good recipe and I want to try it

  2. Looks Delicious but I’m not a huge shrimp lover do you think it would work if I substitute the shrimp with chicken?

  3. Made this and only thing I changed up was I added some thinly sliced zucchini with the veggies. The sauce, shrimp, and veggies all mixed together are so delicious 😊 so flavorful!5 stars

  4. This recipe is so good, it made me buy your cookbook :) It’s definitely in my permanent rotation of meals – regardless the season. It was so easy to make and the flavors really come through. There’s never any leftovers.5 stars

  5. Can I use chicken instead of shrimp? looks so good… new to this celiac diagnosis. It’s a hard road to navigate .. appreciate finding this page.

    1. Yes, you can use chicken instead! Just make sure to properly sear the chicken in the pan as it will have a different cook time than the shrimp.

  6. Absolutely loved this! Nice to find something different that all the picky adults like. Slightly sweet, probably from the shrimp and bell pepper, and a touch of heat. Reminded me of the vegetarian curry I get at my favorite restaurant. Served over basmati rice. Perfect! May try this with salmon? Or with a couple more veggies? The creamy chipotle sauce is the bomb! I will make some to keep in the fridge for shrimp tacos or even fries, it’s delicious!5 stars

    1. I’m sure this sauce would taste amazing with salmon as well! Thanks for leaving a review for this recipe. I’m glad you loved it, Danielle!

      1. Hi Jayma – I haven’t tried, but sounds delicious! You could also try my Cajun shrimp as well.

      2. Phenomenal as always! I feel like, for this recipe, I could have used 2lb of shrimp! It’s very saucy so I feel it goes a long way. We used for tacos and over rice. I followed the recipe and after we finished I boiled and extra pound of shrimp into the sauce for leftovers. Amazing! Simple with pantry staples.5 stars

  7. This is now a monthly staple in my home, my husband really enjoyed this. It’s the perfect amount of heat and jam packed with flavor!!5 stars

  8. Really easy and delicious! Used leftover chipotle sauce for sheet pan fajitas, also yummers. Thank you!

  9. Cooked as written! Absolutely delicious and was loved by all! Will make this again and again!5 stars

  10. I love chipotle sauce, so I knew I had to make this, and it was delicious! I love how saucy it was. It was a great blend of freshness, spiciness, and savouriness. It’s a perfect dinner option, and I’ll be making this again!5 stars

  11. I loved it!
    Though instead of 2 peppers, I added 4 total and I also added 1 & a 1/2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes and put them in at the very end between adding the liquids and warming the shrimp. I let them cook until they were soft and i think it added some really good subtle flavor and a little more texture. 4 stars

  12. Thankyou for such fresh, healthy, inspirational recipes! This will be a keeper, we served it over basmati brown rice, and my husband couldn’t get enough! The next time I make it, I will add only one chipotle chili, I like it less spicy, but will keep the other one for him! Love it.5 stars

  13. Absolutely delicious! I ended up using a few teaspoons or so of just the adobo sauce instead of the chilis in order to make it less spicy. I served it over wheat penne. Incredible!5 stars