Zesty Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Avocado Salsa Verde
Bring the vibrant flavors of Mexico to your home with these Zesty Chipotle Shrimp Tacos. Juicy, spicy shrimp are grilled to perfection and tucked into warm corn tortillas, complemented by a creamy, tangy avocado salsa verde crafted from fresh tomatillos and aromatic cilantro. This dish is not just a meal; it's an experience, perfect for casual weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. Serve them with a squeeze of lime for an extra zing!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onion
1 small (quartered)
Jalapeno
1 (quartered, seeds optional)
Garlic
1 clove (smashed)
Tomatillos
4 medium (about 8 ounces) (husked)
Hass Avocado
1/2 (peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks)
Kosher Salt
1 1/4 teaspoons
Fresh Cilantro Leaves
1/4 cup (loosely packed and coarsely chopped)
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon
Dried Chipotle Powder
1 teaspoon
Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon
Medium Shrimp
1 lb (peeled and deveined (about 20))
Corn Tortillas
8
Fresh Cilantro (for garnish)
8 sprigs
Limes
2 (cut into wedges)
Instructions
1
In a food processor, combine the quartered onion, jalapeno, and smashed garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
2
Add the tomatillos, avocado, and kosher salt to the mixture, pulsing until you achieve a chunky consistency. Transfer this mixture to a bowl and gently fold in the coarsely chopped cilantro.
3
Preheat your stove top grill or outdoor grill to medium-high heat while you prepare the shrimp.
4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, dried chipotle powder (or blended chili powder), and salt until combined.
5
Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl, tossing until they are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
6
Grill the shrimp for about 1.5 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn opaque and are nicely charred.
7
While the shrimp are grilling, lightly toast the corn tortillas on the grill for about 20 seconds on each side until they are warm and slightly charred. Alternatively, wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
8
To assemble the tacos, spoon a generous amount of the avocado salsa verde onto each tortilla. Top with 2 to 3 grilled shrimp and add a sprig of fresh cilantro for garnish.
9
Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side, allowing everyone to add a splash of fresh lime juice to their tacos.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this recipe?
The main protein in this dish is medium shrimp, which are peeled, deveined, and grilled.
What ingredients are needed for the Creamy Avocado Salsa Verde?
The salsa is made from onion, jalapeno, garlic, tomatillos, Hass avocado, kosher salt, and fresh cilantro leaves.
How do you prepare the tomatillos?
The tomatillos should be husked and then pulsed in a food processor with other salsa ingredients.
What is the recommended spice for the shrimp?
The shrimp are seasoned with dried chipotle powder or a blended chili powder.
How long should the shrimp be grilled?
Grill the shrimp for approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes on each side.
How can you tell when the shrimp are done cooking?
The shrimp are cooked when they turn opaque and have a nice char from the grill.
What kind of tortillas are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 8 corn tortillas.
How should the corn tortillas be warmed?
You can toast them on the grill for 20 seconds per side or heat them in a microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds.
What is the first step in making the salsa?
The first step is to pulse the onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped.
What is the desired consistency of the salsa verde?
The recipe recommends pulsing the mixture until it achieves a chunky consistency.
How much avocado is required for the salsa?
You will need 1/2 of a Hass avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks.
Is the jalapeno used with or without seeds?
The seeds are optional, allowing you to control the level of heat in the salsa.
What type of oil is used to coat the shrimp?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to help the spices adhere to the shrimp.
How many shrimp are typically included in one pound?
One pound of medium shrimp typically contains about 20 shrimp.
How are the tacos assembled?
Spoon a generous amount of salsa onto each tortilla, top with 2 to 3 shrimp, and garnish with cilantro.
What garnishes are suggested for these tacos?
The tacos are garnished with fresh cilantro sprigs and served with lime wedges.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients required for this recipe.
What heat setting should be used for grilling?
The stove top or outdoor grill should be preheated to medium-high heat.
How much salt is used in the salsa vs the shrimp?
The salsa uses 1 1/4 teaspoons of kosher salt, while the shrimp seasoning uses 1 teaspoon.
How is the garlic prepared?
One clove of garlic should be smashed before being added to the food processor.
Can I use something else if I do not have chipotle powder?
Yes, a blended chili powder can be used as a substitute for chipotle powder.
How should the cilantro for the salsa be prepared?
The cilantro leaves should be loosely packed and coarsely chopped before being folded into the salsa.
How many lime wedges should be served?
The recipe suggests using 2 limes cut into wedges to serve alongside the tacos.
What type of onion is used in the salsa?
One small onion, quartered, is used in the recipe.
Is this a spicy dish?
Yes, the dish features spicy chipotle shrimp and a jalapeno-infused salsa.
What equipment is needed for the salsa?
A food processor is needed to chop and blend the salsa ingredients.
Can these tacos be served at a party?
Yes, the recipe description notes they are perfect for festive gatherings.
How do you prepare the shrimp for seasoning?
The shrimp should be peeled and deveined before being tossed in the spice mixture.
How much cilantro is used for garnish?
The recipe calls for 8 sprigs of fresh cilantro for garnishing the tacos.
Is the salsa mixed entirely in the food processor?
Most ingredients are pulsed in the food processor, but the cilantro is gently folded in by hand at the end.