Sweet Chili Shrimp: Quick and Easy Recipe

Name: Sweet Chili Shrimp
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds shrimp (peeled and deveined); 3 tablespoons maple syrup (substitute honey); 4 tablespoons chili garlic sauce; 2 teaspoons soy sauce

If there’s one recipe that can rescue even the busiest, most “nope-not-cooking-tonight” kind of weeknight, it’s THIS Sweet Chili Shrimp. We’re talking 4 ingredients, under 15 minutes, and shrimp so tender, juicy, and wonderfully sticky-sweet-spicy that you’ll be tempted to make a double batch… maybe even a triple. No judgment.

Quick. Easy. Healthy(ish). Delicious.
This one checks all the boxes.

I’m always a fan of a fast and fresh seafood dinner, and meals like this are EXACTLY why. They’re simple enough for a random Tuesday and tasty enough to convince you to ditch takeout forever (or at least for tonight). If you love quick shrimp meals like our super popular Thai Shrimp Salad, you’re going to obsess over this one.

The shrimp stay plump and juicy thanks to a screaming-hot cast iron skillet, and the sauce? Oh, the sauce. It’s sweet, sticky, a little spicy, a little savory—like the sweet-savory magic you get in this fast favorite, Hibachi Shrimp.

This is the weeknight dinner you make when:

You’re starving
You have zero energy
You still want something healthy
And you want it NOW

And if health ISN’T the goal and you just want flavor, flavor, and more flavor, check out my New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, decadent butter-poached sous vide shrimp, or ultra-easy Instant Pot Shrimp.

Serve it with Instant Pot Spanish Rice, a bright Strawberry Spinach Salad, Instant Pot beets, or simple roasted frozen broccoli and you’ve got yourself a full, balanced, oh-so-satisfying meal.

Why This Recipe Works

The cast iron skillet gets blazing hot, which cooks the shrimp super fast, keeping them plump, juicy, and never rubbery.
While the skillet heats, you can do basically anything—homework, laundry, scrolling Instagram, making a side dish… or literally just staring at the wall.
Sweet + spicy = perfection. Maple syrup (or honey!) + chili garlic sauce is the dream team.
It’s healthy, fast, and uses only four ingredients. What more could we ask for on a weeknight?

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
What Is My Take on Sweet Chili Shrimp?
Make It a Meal
Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
Serving Suggestions for Sweet Chili Shrimp
Common Questions
Storing Instructions
More Favorite Shrimp Recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

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What Is My Take on Sweet Chili Shrimp?

This is the kind of recipe that belongs in every busy person’s weekly rotation. It’s the unicorn of dinners: incredibly delicious but ridiculously simple. The shrimp get that light char from the broiler (seriously amazing), the sauce becomes sticky and caramelized, and the whole thing tastes like something from your favorite Asian-fusion takeout spot—but fresher, faster, and probably cheaper.

Plus… FOUR. INGREDIENTS. Come on. This is weeknight gold.

Make It a Meal

Pair this Sweet Chili Shrimp with:

Instant Pot Spanish Rice
Stir-fried veggies
Stir Fry Baby Bok Choyor spinach
Brown rice or jasmine rice
Noodles
A light salad or roasted greens

Easy Side Dishes

Some effortless options:

Ingredients

I recommend using a larger shrimp for this recipe, like these 16/21 count shrimp. They come out plumper and juicier.

This chili garlic sauce, or anything similar, is the key ingredients as it is what adds the spice and savory component.

A good quality maple syrup will also result in the best flavor. The "maple Syrup" that's not pure just doesn't have the same deep flavor. You can also substitute honey for the maple syrup, but I prefer the deep flavor of the syrup.

The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step By Step Instructions

Step1: Heat a cast iron skillet in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Step2: Mix the maple syrup, chili garlic sauce and soy in a bowl. Add the shrimp and mix to coat evenly.

Step3: Remove the skillet from the oven and add the shrimp. Place it back in the oven under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Don't overcook!

Step4: Remove from oven and serve.

Serve over a bed of rice, or see some other serving suggestions listed above!

Expert Tips

I use 16/21 sized shrimp for this recipe. I recommend using large or jumbo sized shrimp.
Shrimp are done cooking when they have turned completely pink. This doesn't take very long.
Let the shrimp marinade in the sauce while the cast iron skillet heats for maximum flavor.
Watch the shrimp as they are cooking to ensure they don't overcook.

Serving Suggestions for Sweet Chili Shrimp

Slice some red bell peppers, onions and/or snow peas and add them to your shrimp - you may want to increase the amount of sauce depending on how much you add;
Squeeze a touch of lime juice on top for some acidity;
Serve it with this Chinese fried rice or coconut jasmine rice - my favorite is with this Instant Pot sushi rice!
I also love them served alongside these Vietnamese egg rolls or these glazed Asian wings;
If you prefer to forgo the rice, and aren't really interested in an appetizer party, try them with these crispy baked parsnip fries or these sweet and spicy roasted brussels sprouts.

Common Questions

What is sweet chili made of?

Sweet chili is typically a combination of chilies mixed with vinegar and sometimes garlic, as well as a sweet component - in this recipe that is maple syrup, but it can also be honey, sweet wine, or sugar.

Is sweet chili sauce spicy?

Sweet chili sauce is similar to sweet and sour sauce, with a nice spicy kick. It's not overly spicy like some sauces, and the sweet complements the hint of spice perfectly.

How do I know when shrimp are done?

When the shrimp have turned completely pink, they are done cooking. Shrimp don't take very long to cook, so I recommend watching them closely.

Can I reheat these shrimp?

These glazed shrimp can be reheated in the microwave. However, microwaved shrimp will become more tough and chewy so I recommend eating them fresh is possible.

side view os shrimp in a pan with chili sauce

Storing Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave.
Leftover shrimp are also great thrown onto salads or rice bowls.

More Favorite Shrimp Recipes

Did you make this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let me know what you think!

This recipe was originally published in November 2017. It has been updated for content and photos.

Recipe

Sweet Chili Shrimp

This Sweet Chili Shrimp has only 4 ingredients, and is on the table in under 15 minutes! The shrimp are tender and juicy and have the perfect combination of sweet and spicy!

4.97 from 29 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Heating Skillet: 20

Total Time: 10

Servings: servings

Calories: 193kcal

Author: Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds shrimp peeled and deveined
▢ 3 tablespoons maple syrup substitute honey
▢ 4 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
▢ 2 teaspoons soy sauce

Instructions

Heat a cast iron skillet in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Mix the maple syrup, chili garlic sauce and soy in a bowl. Add the shrimp and mix to coat evenly.
Remove the skillet from the oven and add the shrimp. Place it back in the oven under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Don't overcook!
Remove from oven and serve.

Expert Tips:

I use 16/21 sized shrimp for this recipe. I recommend using large or jumbo sized shrimp.
Shrimp are done cooking when they have turned completely pink. This doesn't take very long.
Let the shrimp marinade in the sauce while the cast iron skillet heats for maximum flavor.
Watch the shrimp as they are cooking to ensure they don't overcook.