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Flavorful Firecracker Chipotle Honey Shrimp Skewers

firecracker chipotle honey shrimp skewers - featured image

These shrimp skewers feature a smoky chipotle heat balanced with a sweet honey glaze, perfect for quick and easy BBQ gatherings. Tender, juicy shrimp with a sticky, spicy-sweet finish make this recipe a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen shrimp)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons honey (raw or wildflower honey preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari (optional)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (to serve)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. While shrimp marinates, combine honey, chopped chipotle in adobo, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan.
  4. Heat glaze over low-medium heat, stirring frequently until warm and slightly thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  6. Thread 4 to 5 shrimp per skewer, leaving space between each shrimp.
  7. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F / 190-200°C) and lightly oil the grates.
  8. Grill shrimp skewers for 2 to 3 minutes per side, brushing with honey chipotle glaze during the last minute on each side to caramelize without burning.
  9. Remove skewers from grill, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve immediately with lime wedges.

Notes

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Marinate shrimp for no longer than 20 minutes to avoid texture changes from lime juice. Brush glaze carefully and avoid high heat to prevent burning. Keep shrimp spaced on skewers for even cooking. Use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option. Glaze can be made ahead and stored in fridge up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp skewers, chipotle shrimp, honey glaze, BBQ shrimp, grilled shrimp, firecracker shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, summer grilling