Get ready for a flavor explosion with these Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Asparagus! You’ll love these juicy shrimp coated with spicy chipotle goodness, wrapped up snugly in soft flour tortillas alongside tender asparagus spears.
Whether you're whipping them up for a quick weeknight dinner or sharing with friends at a casual get-together, these tacos are guaranteed to hit the spot. They're the kind of dish that'll have everyone coming back for seconds!
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💚 About This Recipe
These delicious shrimp tacos with chipotle sauce are a fantastic and refreshing dinner that's guaranteed to satisfy! Perfectly cooked shrimp paired with healthy asparagus and a bold homemade chipotle sauce makes for a nutritious and tasty meal.
Great for the spring and summer, this light taco dish is bursting with fresh flavors. Serve with flour or corn tortillas, make them in crunchy Tortilla Bowls, or serve as a taco salad!
Just like my Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos or these yummy Shrimp Tostadas, this is a fantastic taco recipe for seafood fans. Pair with a super easy Lime Crema for even more delicious flavor! Or, for those who really love cilantro, try it with this flavorful and simple cilantro sauce!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- asparagus - provides some tasty green flavor and lots of nutrition.
- olive oil - helps prevent sticking and distribute the spices evenly.
- onion - bring out and complement the flavors of the shrimp and asparagus.
- shrimp - I like to use pre-cooked shrimp for easy prep.
- lime juice - adds a nice amount of tangy citrus flavor.
- chipotle powder - for some delicious and bold heat.
- cilantro - provides a bright, fresh taste that contrasts with the smoky chipotle and savory shrimp.
- tortillas - corn tortillas and flour tortillas are both great options!
- shredded lettuce
- avocado - adds vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the meal.
- lime crema - you can easily make this homemade sauce in just 5 minutes; it pairs incredibly with these shrimp tacos!
🔪 Instructions
- Cook the asparagus in the microwave for 2 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic and leave a small hole to vent.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, then saute the onion until translucent.
- Add the cooked asparagus and stir well.
- Mix in the cooked shrimp.
- Add chipotle powder and stir until everything is well coated and heated through.
- Remove from heat and add the cilantro. Assemble tacos and enjoy!
❔ FAQs
This is likely a result of overcooking the shrimp. Because this recipe calls for pre-cooked shrimp, be sure just to cook until it's heated through. Any longer and it could become tough or rubbery.
This spice is made by grinding wood-smoked jalapenos into a fine powder. As a result, it has a spicy and smoky flavor that provides lots of dimension to tacos, ribs, chilis, and more!
The spiciness level can vary depending on the amount of chipotle used. You can adjust to taste.
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you don't serve with the lime crema, I recommend providing sour cream and fresh lime wedges to top the tacos.
- Be sure to keep an eye on the shrimp as you stir in the chipotle powder. It's pre-cooked, so you just need to get it back up to temperature!
- Aside from lettuce and avocado, you can also top with cheese, white or brown rice, guacamole, sour cream, or salsa.
📌 These deliciously flavorful shrimp tacos with chipotle sauce will take your weekly taco night to a brand new level!
💡 Substitutions and Variations
- These chipotle shrimp tacos can also be made from raw shrimp. Peel and devein them, melt butter in a skillet, then cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until nice and pink.
- Use additional seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper for more flavor.
🥫 Storage and Reheating
Keep any leftover filling for chipotle shrimp tacos in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. I recommend reheating in a skillet with a little bit of oil--the microwave will likely make the asparagus soggy and mushy.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Make these tacos into a feast by pairing with Cornbread Casserole or some Air Fryer Corn Ribs! Some other tasty options are Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits or Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.
✔️ More Shrimp Recipes You'll Love
- Shrimp Scampi without Wine - No wine is required to make this savory and refreshing shrimp pasta dish!
- Shrimp Grilled Cheese - Take your typical grilled cheese and add some seafood flair.
- White Wine Shrimp Pasta - This dish features arugula and linguine in a delicious white wine sauce.
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp - This tasty air fryer dish from Cocktails and Appetizers is an excellent snack or starter!
Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
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📋 Recipe Card
Chipotle Shrimp Tacos With Asparagus
Ingredients
Chipotle Shrimp Tacos
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 pound cooked shrimp (thaw first, if frozen)
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (or more, to taste)
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
- 8 tortillas (fajita size)
- 6 ounces shredded lettuce
- 1 avocado (optional)
Optional Lime Crema
- 4 ounces sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- zest from 1 lime
- 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin the lime crema, if needed)
Instructions
- Place the asparagus in a microwaveable bowl and cover with plastic wrap, leaving a small opening to vent. Microwave 2 minutes or until the asparagus is tender-crisp. Set aside.1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and add the onion. Cook until the onion is translucent.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup chopped onion
- Add the shrimp and asparagus in the with onion and stir.1 pound cooked shrimp
- Add the lime juice and chipotle powder, and stir until distributed and the shrimp are heated through.3 tablespoons lime juice, ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the cilantro. Taste and sprinkle in some salt, pepper, or additional chipotle powder if needed.⅓ cup chopped cilantro
- Line the middle of each tortilla with the shredded lettuce, then distribute the shrimp-asparagus mixture over the spinach.8 tortillas, 6 ounces shredded lettuce
- Serve topped with optional avocado pieces and lime crema (combine the lime crema ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly before drizzling over the tacos).1 avocado, 4 ounces sour cream, 1 teaspoon lime juice, ⅛ teaspoon salt, zest from 1 lime, 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin the lime crema, if needed)
Notes
- If you are starting with raw shrimp instead of cooked, peel and devein them (if needed), then heat 3 tablespoons of butter in the skillet, add the shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
- I highly recommend using the lime crema for the most amazing flavor profile. If you don't use it, I suggest serving with sour cream and a lime wedge for squirting on top of the tacos.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in August 2013, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in February 2024.
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Lisa says
I get on a asparagus kick during asparagus season. Loved these tacos!
Kristina says
I love experimenting with shrimp tacos, and usually fill the shell with vegetables like peppers, onions and cabbage. Asparagus was a great idea, I would have never thought about that on my own, but it paired great with the shrimp. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!