Cajun Shrimp Taco Bowls (Print Version)

Spicy Cajun shrimp served over rice with fresh vegetables and creamy avocado in a flavorful bowl.

# Components:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
04 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
05 - ¼ tsp salt
06 - ¼ tsp black pepper
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Rice

08 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
09 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
10 - ½ tsp salt

→ Vegetable Toppings

11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or drained canned
13 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Sauce

17 - ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
18 - 1 tbsp lime juice
19 - ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ For Serving

21 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Combine rice, water or broth, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
02 - Whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, hot sauce if using, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
03 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and minced garlic until evenly coated.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
05 - While the shrimp cooks, prepare cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, lettuce, avocado, and cilantro.
06 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with shrimp, vegetables, avocado slices, and cilantro. Drizzle with sauce and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, so you can eat well even when youre running on fumes.
  • The bowls are endlessly customizable, whether you want more heat, more crunch, or a completely different grain.
  • Leftovers taste just as good the next day, maybe even better once the flavors settle in.
02 -
  • Overcrowding the pan will make the shrimp steam and turn rubbery, so cook them in batches if your skillet isnt big enough.
  • If your Cajun seasoning already has salt in it, taste the shrimp before adding more or theyll be too salty to fix.
03 -
  • Let the rice rest off the heat for five minutes before fluffing it, the texture will be so much better.
  • If your shrimp are releasing a lot of water in the pan, your heat isnt high enough, crank it up and let them sizzle.
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