Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs
Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs are a quick and bold dish perfect for grilling season or weeknight meals. Paired with a side of Creamy Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing, they offer a refreshing contrast to their smoky heat. With a quick 30-minute marinade, the shrimp absorb bright citrus, smoky spice, and subtle sweetness and are grilled to perfection.
You only need a handful of pantry staples and a few skewers to make these grilled shrimp kabobs. It’s a great protein to pair with salads, tacos, or grain bowls. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a gathering or just want something easy and fresh, these kabobs are reliable and flavorful with minimal effort.
Grilling these Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs is a perfect quick meal for when it’s too hot to turn the oven on. It’s a dish that’s on repeat, as are these Grilled Shrimp and Sausage with Pineapple Skewers or this quick Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp and Broccoli Skillet. They’re all so easy to make and come together fast with minimal prep and cleanup, which makes me happy.
Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs
Making these smoky grilled shrimp kabobs is easy and starts with a simple marinade that uses items you probably already have on hand. Fresh lime juice, smoky chipotle chili powder, and a few other common spices with a touch of sweetness from honey make up the quick 30-minute marinade.
The infusion of the lime juice with the seasonings adds so much flavor to the shrimp when grilled. It’s a delicious dish to serve as an appetizer, top salads with the meat, or serve up with a few sides as a main dish.
Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs are smoky, zesty grilled shrimp skewers. This easy seafood recipe with a lime marinade can be eaten off the skewers or made into tacos for a quick, tasty meal.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
This recipe is already a quick one, but a few simple adjustments can make it even easier to prepare or to suit your tastes. From prepping ahead to switching up ingredients, here are ways to customize your citrus marinated seafood:
- Make the Marinade in Advance: Mix and refrigerate up to 1 day ahead.
- Add Veggies to Skewers: Bell peppers, red onions, or zucchini cook at the same time as shrimp.
- Prefer Milder Heat? Use half the chipotle and skip the smoked paprika.
- Oven Option: Broil shrimp skewers for 6–7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
These options help save time and still keep the dish tasty. Feel free to adapt based on what you have on hand or the flavors your guests enjoy most.
What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp Kabobs?
Pairing sides with these easy shrimp skewers is simple. Choose from cool, crunchy salads or hearty grains to round out the plate.
- Mexican Street Corn
- Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe
- Easy Ratatouille Casserole
- Easy Black Beans and Rice
These sides balance the heat and enhance the smoky citrus flavors of the shrimp. Mix and match depending on the occasion or what’s already in your fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ingredients are Needed for Chipotle Lime Shrimp?
These kabobs come together with everyday pantry staples and fresh shrimp. Each ingredient adds something specific, whether it’s flavor, texture, or just making sure everything grills up perfectly.
Essential Ingredients
- Olive Oil – Helps coat the shrimp and distributes the seasonings evenly while adding richness.
- Fresh Lime Juice and Zest – Provides acidity that brightens the shrimp and helps tenderize them during marination. The zest intensifies the citrus flavor.
- Chipotle Chili Pepper – Brings smoky heat for a bold flavor profile.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds depth and enhances the smokiness.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder – Both give the marinade a strong base flavor that complements the shrimp.
- Honey – Adds subtle sweetness to balance the spice and acid.
- Extra-Large Shrimp – The star protein; their size makes them ideal for grilling without overcooking.
It’s a short list, but each item pulls its weight. Stick to these basics, or tweak the spice and citrus levels to suit your taste.
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How to Make Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs
Mix the Marinade
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chipotle chili pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, honey, salt, and black pepper. Use a whisk or spoon to mix until fully blended and slightly thickened. RESERVE half of the marinade and set aside.
Marinate the Shrimp
Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, tossing well to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for no more than 30 minutes. This allows the shrimp to absorb the flavors without becoming mushy.
Assemble the Skewers
Remove the shrimp from the marinade and discard any excess liquid. Thread the shrimp onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers, spacing them slightly apart.
Grill the Kabobs
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates and turn the heat down to medium. Place the shrimp skewers on the hot surface and cook for 3 – 4 minutes per side. They should be pink, opaque, and lightly charred when ready.
Serve Immediately
Transfer the kabobs to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley, cilantro, or lime wedges if desired. Serve while hot for the best texture and flavor.
Need a dessert to go with this meal? Try these Pina Colada Tacos, they pair deliciously with the skewers.
Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabobs
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon Chipotle chili pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoke paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 ¼ pounds extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Instructions
- Whisk marinade ingredients together in large bowl. Reserve HALF for serving.
- Add shrimp to bowl and with the remaining marinade, toss to coat. Marinate at least 15 minutes but not longer than 30 minutes.
- Thread the shrimp onto skewers, 5-6 per skewer.
- Preheat grill over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp until no longer translucent, 3-4 minutes per side. Watch carefully as shrimp cook very quickly and will become rubbery if overcooked.
- Remove from grill onto a serving platter. Drizzle lightly with reserved marinade.
- Serve immediately garnished with fresh parsley sprigs and lime slices, if desired.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
2025 Alphabet Challenge – “K”
This Chipotle Lime Shrimp Kabob recipe is my contribution to the 2025 alphabet challenge! For the letter “K” this week, I’m excited to share this incredibly easy grilling idea. Be sure to check out what other food enthusiasts are cooking up for the challenge, and you can also explore the delicious recipes from the 2024 Alphabet Challenge!
- Sneha’s Recipe: Khoya/Mawa Gujiya With Dry Fruits
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Strawberry Kuchen
- Food Lust People Love: Kiwi Tomato Feta Salad
- Mayuri’s Jikoni: Kachumbari,Kenyan Salad
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Fresh Kielbasa Sheet Pan Dinner
- A Messy Kitchen: Kimchi Udon
- Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Cheese Tortellini Soup with Kielbasa and Kale
- Magical Ingredients: Kimchi Gochujang Dip
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Sweet & Spicy Hawaiian Pineapple Ketchup
- Culinary Cam: A Fruit Formerly Known as ‘Kaffir’ + Makrut-Kissed Cookies
- Palatable Pastime: Kimchi Cucumber Pickles
Enjoy!
A perfect summer meal, ready in a few minutes, attractive to serve, and delicious to eat.
This is definitely a recipe to thrill my youngest, who adores shrimp!
Sounds great for a cookout. Doesn’t look too spicy so I’d love it.