Description
Cajun Shrimp sizzles with bold Southern charm, bringing spicy seafood magic straight from Louisiana’s kitchen to your dinner table. Creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned shrimp create a quick, delicious meal that sparks dinnertime excitement.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup buttermilk
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix ½ cup all-purpose flour and ½ cup cornstarch in a shallow bowl, blending them thoroughly to create a uniform coating for your shrimp.
- Whisk 2 beaten eggs and ½ cup buttermilk together in a separate shallow bowl until completely combined and smooth.
- Combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup regular breadcrumbs, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp smoked paprika in another shallow bowl, ensuring all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Pat 1 lb large shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure crispy breading will adhere perfectly.
- Sprinkle 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning directly onto shrimp, massaging the spice into each piece for maximum flavor.
- Dredge each shrimp first through flour mixture, then dip into egg mixture, and finally coat completely in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help breading stick.
- Heat vegetable oil to 375°F in a large deep skillet, maintaining consistent temperature for even frying.
- Carefully place breaded shrimp into hot oil, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove shrimp with slotted spoon, letting excess oil drain on wire rack or paper towels.
- Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in separate pan over medium heat, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth into butter mixture, stirring continuously for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Whisk in ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ½ tsp Cajun seasoning, and ½ tsp black pepper until sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Garnish sauce with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving alongside crispy shrimp.
Notes
- Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness when cooking.
- Adjust Cajun spice blend based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and adding more gradually.
- Use fresh shrimp whenever possible for the best flavor and texture, avoiding frozen options if you can source local seafood.
- The creamy sauce works beautifully as a dipping sauce or can be drizzled over rice to make a complete meal that stretches your protein.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Shrimp
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg