Quick Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad
A fast and flavorful blackened shrimp Caesar salad that comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner or lunch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 2 tablespoons blackened seasoning (smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper)
- 1 large head romaine lettuce (about 6 cups chopped), washed and dried
- ½ cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Generously coat the shrimp with 2 tablespoons blackened seasoning.
- Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil; heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through; cook in batches if needed.
- While shrimp cooks, chop romaine lettuce and place in a large mixing bowl; add croutons and Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle Caesar dressing and lemon juice over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Arrange cooked shrimp on top of the salad and toss gently or serve shrimp on top to keep crust intact.
- Add extra Parmesan or a lemon wedge if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure a good sear. Use a hot pan and avoid overcrowding to get a perfect blackened crust. Toss salad gently to keep romaine crisp and croutons crunchy. Adjust cayenne pepper to control spice level. Store shrimp and salad separately if prepping ahead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Protein: 30
Keywords: blackened shrimp, Caesar salad, quick dinner, easy recipe, seafood salad, healthy dinner, 15 minute meal