Chipotle-Lime Shrimp

I love shrimp. I love all sorts of seafood, actually, but shrimp will always be one of my favorites. It's the texture that makes shrimp so crave-worthy. Yet, shrimp is so often overcooked. And not to sound dramatic, but overcooked shrimp is the worst. Thankfully, the masterminds behind Cooks' Illustrated and America's Test Kitchen have developed a method for producing perfectly cooked shrimp on the stove-top. Score!

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Sweet, spicy, tangy. Perfect combination of Spanish flavors.
Texture: The method in this recipe ensures your shrimp will be perfectly cooked. The chipotle lime glaze is slightly thick and filled with small chunks of chipotle.    
Ease: Super simple and fast.   
Appearance: Perfectly pink shrimp speckled with bits of green cilantro and deep brown chipotle.
Pros: This recipe is perfect for tapas, as an appetizer or to go in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, anything!
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? Yes.


Chipotle-Lime Shrimp
Serves 4
Adapted from The New Best Recipe

• 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, minced
• 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
• 4 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon sugar

Combine chipotle, adobo sauce, sugar, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat until smoking. Meanwhile, toss the shrimp, salt, pepper, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add half of the shrimp to the pan in a single layer and cook until spotty brown and the edges turn pink, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Using tongs, flip each shrimp and let stand until all but the very center is opaque, about 30 seconds. Transfer the shrimp to a large plate. Repeat with the remaining oil and shrimp.

After the second batch has stood off the heat, return the first batch to the skillet. Pour the chipotle-lime mixture over the shrimp and toss to combine. Cover the skillet and let stand until the shrimp are cooked and the chipotle-lime mixture is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.