Cajun Shrimp: A Flavorful Southern Delight

Welcome back to our culinary adventure! Today, we’re diving into a spicy, savory, and utterly delicious dish: Cajun Shrimp. This recipe is perfect for those who crave a burst of flavor with every bite. It’s easy to make, and the combination of shrimp, spices, and creamy sauce is sure to impress your family and friends. Let’s get cooking!

Cajun Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients

Shrimp

• 1 lb. uncooked shrimp, thawed and cleaned 🍤
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 🌶️
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 🌶️
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil 🫒

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter 🧈
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 3 tablespoons flour 🌾
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth 🍗
• ¾ cups heavy cream (or substitute half and half) 🥛
• 1 tablespoon honey 🍯
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce 🌶️
• 10 oz. Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, juice reserved 🍅
• ¾ cup cheddar jack cheese, shredded 🧀
• 2 teaspoons lime juice 🍋

Seasonings

• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 🌶️
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (light preferred) 🍬
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder 🌿
• ½ teaspoon oregano 🌿
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper 🌶️
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes 🌶️

For Serving

• Lime wedges 🍋
• Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped 🌿

Equipment

• 1 12-inch skillet 🍳

Instructions

Prep Work

1️⃣ Thaw and Prep the Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry. Remove the shell, tail, and veins as needed. 🍤

2️⃣ Prepare the Tomatoes: Drain the diced tomatoes, reserving about ¼ cup of the juice. 🍅

3️⃣ Mix the Sauce Base: In a bowl, combine the chicken broth, heavy cream, honey, hot sauce, and seasonings. Set aside. 🥣

Cook the Shrimp

4️⃣ Season the Shrimp: Sprinkle the shrimp with Cajun seasoning. 🌶️

5️⃣ Sauté the Shrimp and Peppers: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and diced red bell peppers. Cook for about 1 minute and 20 seconds per side. Transfer to a clean plate. Note: The shrimp will continue cooking when added back to the sauce. 🍤

Make the Sauce

6️⃣ Reduce Tomato Juice: Add the reserved tomato juice to the skillet and set the heat to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the skillet. Reduce the liquid by half. 🍅

7️⃣ Add Butter and Garlic: Add the butter and minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute. 🧄

8️⃣ Incorporate Flour: Add the flour and stir continuously for 2 minutes, until the raw flour smell is cooked off. 🌾

9️⃣ Create the Sauce: Gradually add the chicken broth mixture, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle bubble. Add the drained tomatoes and let it simmer and reduce for 10 minutes, uncovered. 🍲

🔟 Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Slowly sprinkle in the cheese, stirring until melted and combined. Stir in the lime juice. 🧀

1️⃣1️⃣ Combine and Serve: Add the shrimp and peppers back to the skillet, stirring to combine. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and cilantro. Serve hot with rice, beans, or a fresh salad! 🍤🍚

Nutrition Information

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Calories: 320 kcal per serving
• Servings: 4

Enjoy this delightful Cajun Shrimp recipe and bring a taste of Southern cuisine to your table. Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media. Happy cooking! 🌿🍤

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Feel free to tweak the spice levels to your liking and make this dish your own. Whether you’re a fan of mild or fiery flavors, this Cajun Shrimp recipe is sure to become a household favorite. Enjoy!