Description
Pan Seared Chimichurri Shrimp is a quick, zesty, and flavorful dish featuring succulent jumbo shrimp marinated with honey, smoked paprika, and garlic, then pan-seared to perfection and topped with a vibrant, fresh chimichurri sauce made from parsley, Fresno pepper, and red wine vinegar. Perfect for a light, refreshing meal served with crusty bread, rice, or tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Chimichurri Sauce
- 1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 whole Fresno pepper, finely chopped (substitute jalapeño if unavailable)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Shrimp Marinade and Cooking
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for marinade)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Minced garlic (from 3 cloves, as above)
Instructions
- Prepare Chimichurri Sauce: Finely chop the parsley, garlic, and Fresno pepper. In a bowl, combine these with dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar, then mix well. Let the sauce sit for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Marinate Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp if not already done. In a separate bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, honey, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate the shrimp for about 20 minutes to absorb the marinade.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat a pan over high heat until very hot. Arrange the marinated shrimp in a single layer in the pan. Sear each side for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp turn opaque and develop a golden sear, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan for even cooking.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving dish. Generously spoon the chimichurri sauce over the shrimp. Serve immediately with crusty bread, rice, or as a filling for tacos for a flavorful meal.
Notes
- Allow the chimichurri sauce to rest for at least an hour to deepen the flavors.
- You can substitute Fresno pepper with jalapeño for similar heat and flavor.
- Ensure shrimp are dry before cooking for a better sear.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides like rice or fresh bread.
- Use fresh garlic for the best pungency and depth in both sauce and marinade.
