Spicy Crispy Shrimp Salad (Printable Version)

Golden crispy shrimp atop fresh greens, avocado, and sriracha-lime drizzle for a vibrant meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crispy Shrimp

01 - 1.1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper
09 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
10 - Vegetable oil, as needed for frying

→ Salad

11 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
12 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
13 - 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - ½ cucumber, sliced
16 - Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish

→ Sriracha-Lime Dressing

17 - 3 tbsp mayonnaise
18 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
19 - 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
20 - 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
21 - 1 tsp honey
22 - ½ tsp garlic powder
23 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Arrange three shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and panko combined with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
02 - Coat each shrimp by dredging first in flour, then dipping in egg wash, followed by coating with seasoned panko mixture.
03 - Heat vegetable oil to ¾ inch depth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
05 - Arrange chopped romaine, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber in a large bowl or individual plates. Top with crispy shrimp.
06 - Drizzle with the sriracha-lime dressing and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy shrimp stays crunchy even after tossing with the dressing
  • That sriracha-lime dressing adds just enough heat without overwhelming the fresh vegetables
  • You get restaurant-quality results in under 30 minutes
02 -
  • Dry the shrimp thoroughly with paper towels or the coating will slide right off in the oil
  • Do not overcrowd the pan during frying or the oil temperature drops and you get soggy shrimp
  • Serve immediately after dressing because the panko starts softening after about ten minutes
03 -
  • Let the coated shrimp rest for ten minutes before frying to help the coating set better
  • Test your oil temperature with a single shrimp first, then adjust the heat as needed
  • Leftover dressing keeps in the fridge for three days and works on everything from burgers to roasted vegetables
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