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Flavorful Firecracker Shrimp Skewers Easy Sweet Chili Glaze Recipe

firecracker shrimp skewers - featured image

These firecracker shrimp skewers feature a quick and easy sweet chili glaze that balances heat and sweetness, perfect for grilling or broiling. Juicy shrimp coated in a sticky, flavorful glaze make this recipe a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on or off)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • Thinly sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Stir occasionally and simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Thread 4-5 shrimp onto each skewer, making sure they are snug but not squished.
  4. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 200°C).
  5. Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque with a slight caramelized edge.
  6. During the last minute of cooking, brush shrimp with the sweet chili glaze on all sides, flipping and brushing again to build a sticky coating.
  7. Remove skewers from grill, garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Brush glaze on shrimp during the last minute of cooking to avoid burning the sugar. Do not overcook shrimp to keep them juicy and tender. The glaze can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos. Frozen shrimp can be used if fully thawed and patted dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp skewers, firecracker shrimp, sweet chili glaze, grilled shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, BBQ shrimp, spicy shrimp, weeknight dinner