Description
These Shrimp Taco Bites are a vibrant and flavorful appetizer featuring juicy marinated shrimp cooked to perfection and served on crispy scoop-style tortilla chips with creamy sour cream, fresh avocado, and zesty salsa. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, they combine a delightful mix of textures and bright, tangy flavors with a hint of spice from chili and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Marinade
- 24 large raw shrimp (peeled, deveined and tails-off)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Juice of 2 small limes
- Zest of one lime
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Serving
- 24 scoop-style tortilla chips
- 1 container (16 ounces) sour cream
- 1 large ripe avocado (diced or mashed)
- 1 cup salsa or Pico de Gallo
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
- Lime wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp Marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, honey, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, chili powder, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well to mix all the marinade ingredients evenly.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade bowl. Toss them thoroughly so each shrimp is coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse the shrimp.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp along with half of the marinade to the skillet. Discard the remaining marinade to avoid cross-contamination. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and curl. Be careful not to overcook to maintain tenderness. Remove the shrimp from heat and let them rest briefly.
- Assemble the Shrimp Taco Bites: On each scoop-style tortilla chip, spread about 1 teaspoon of sour cream, followed by 1 teaspoon of diced or mashed avocado. Place one cooked shrimp on top of each chip. Spoon a small amount of salsa or Pico de Gallo over the shrimp.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lime juice for extra brightness. These bites are best enjoyed fresh while the tortilla chips remain crunchy and the shrimp are warm.
Notes
- Do not overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Use fresh lime juice and zest for the best flavor.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately after assembly to maintain chip crunchiness.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the tortilla chips are certified gluten-free.
