Spicy Crispy Shrimp Salad (Printable)

Golden crispy shrimp atop fresh lettuce, avocado, and zesty sriracha-lime dressing for a vibrant dish.

# 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, 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

# Directions:

01 - Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko mixed with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
02 - Pat shrimp dry, then dredge each first in flour, dip in egg, and coat thoroughly with the panko mixture.
03 - Heat vegetable oil to ¾ inch (2 cm) depth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
04 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, sriracha sauce, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
05 - Arrange romaine lettuce, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber in a large bowl or individual plates. Top with crispy shrimp.
06 - Drizzle salad generously with sriracha-lime dressing and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy shrimp and cool, creamy avocado is addictive in a way that makes you want another bite immediately.
  • That sriracha-lime dressing sneaks up on you with heat and brightness, turning a simple salad into something you'll crave on hot days.
02 -
  • The difference between good and disappointing comes down to oil temperature—use a thermometer if you have one, aiming for 175°C, because guessing leads to either raw shrimp or burnt coatings.
  • Don't dress the entire salad ahead of time, or the lettuce turns into mush within minutes; dress individual portions right before eating or let people drizzle their own.
03 -
  • Make the dressing the night before and let the flavors marry overnight—it tastes noticeably better and saves you time when you're hungry.
  • If frying feels intimidating, you can bake the breaded shrimp at 220°C for 12–15 minutes and they'll still have decent crunch, just a different texture that's lighter and less indulgent.
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