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Chipotle orange shrimp with creamy sauce, cilantro rice, and cucumber salad on a plate

Chipotle Orange Shrimp with Cilantro Rice and Creamy Sauce

Chipotle Orange Shrimp is a creamy, smoky, and citrusy shrimp dish paired with cilantro rice and fresh cucumber contrast. It is a quick, flavorful meal that is perfect when you want a balanced dinner with bold flavors and varied textures.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings (I can definitely eat half of this by myself)
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 465
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Creamy Sauce
  • 1 chipotle pepper (or half of one pepper, for a less spicy version)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • zest of one orange
  • a drizzle of olive oil
Chipotle Orange Shrimp
  • 1 pound uncooked shrimp, tails removed, patted dry
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Cilantro Rice
  • 1 1/2 cups white rice (jasmine rice or plain long grain rice)
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Cucumber Salad
  • 2 small cucumbers (or one large), thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine the cucumber ingredients and set the mixture aside.
  2. Blend the sauce ingredients until mostly smooth, stopping before the cream develops a whipped texture.
Cooking
  1. Cook the rice according to package directions, then mix in cilantro and salt to taste. Add lime juice or the juice from the zested orange if desired.
  2. Warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side, seasoning with cumin and additional salt and pepper.
  3. Pour in the sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Serving
  1. Serve the shrimp over the cilantro rice with the cucumber mixture alongside.

Notes

Blend the sauce briefly because the heavy cream can develop a whipped texture if processed too long. The goal is only to break down the garlic and chipotle so they blend into the sauce. If the sauce becomes thicker from blending, it will loosen as it warms in the pan. For shrimp, fully thaw frozen shrimp if using and pat away excess moisture before cooking. If liquid collects in the pan before adding the sauce, drain it first. A pinch of sugar can be added to the shrimp for extra sweetness, or orange juice can be added for more citrus flavor.