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Chili Garlic Shrimp (Gambas Al Ajillo) - the best shrimp appetizer recipe you'll make. This Spanish chili garlic shrimp recipe is the bomb!
This past Spring break, we took little G on an amazing European trip where we started off in Barcelona, Spain.
We had amazing Spanish tapas every day. We all really enjoyed Spanish food, especially the seafood dishes. One of them is certainly Gambas Al Ajillo, or Chili Garlic Shrimp. We never had a bad ones there.
Fast forward to now, I still miss the dish, because I love shrimp, and I love the explosive flavors of this concoction.
So, I found the recipe I saved from Saveur magazine and adapted it to my liking. The end result was absolutely fabulous, and transported me back to the tapas restaurants in Spain instantly.
What’s so great about this chili garlic shrimp recipe is its simplicity. It’s so easy and calls for a few ingredients.
With New Year just around the corner, these Gambas Al Ajillo will be perfect as a party food or appetizer. You won’t go wrong with chili and garlic shrimp, made with olive oil!
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 364 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Chili Garlic Shrimp
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Chili Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 1/2 lbs (750g) shrimp, shelled, deveined, tail-on
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
- crusty French bread for serving, optional
Instructions
- Heat a cast-iron skillet on high heat. Add oil, garlic and chili flakes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is golden.
- Add shrimp and salt to taste. Stirring until shrimp are completely cooked through. Stir in the parsley and serve immediately with some sliced French bread (optional).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it really a. 1/2 cup of oil ? Xo
Yes.
Love your recipes! My sons and I have had so much fun with cooking them. This is great…..but throw 1tsp of smoked paprika in and it’s another level!!
Hi Jane, thanks for trying the chili garlic shrimp recipe. Thanks for the tip!!! :)
hi ,my name is joe. about a week ago i asked for a recipe on shrimp dish and i got amessage box on my computer saying stop and call this number and when you call number they want to take command of uoyr coputer ,but i done that once before and they demaned 200,00 dollars which I refused to gige them ,so I was smart this time and told them I would turn them in,
So I am CALLING TO LET YOU KNOW BEFORE THEYSCAM OTHERS.
This box came up when I wanted recipe for a shrimp scampi dish.
I dont know if its still there ,but letting you know.
Hi Joe, it looks like your computer is infected with malware, not really an issue on my website.
Does it matter if I make it in a cast iron skillet or not? I haven’t got one on hand. Really want to try, but I just realized I overlooked this.
Yes, you can make with another pan or skillet, it doesn’t matter. But I just prefer cast-iron.
Can you pls send meChili garlic shrimps and creamy garlic thyme chicken. I went to the site and tuoecget recipe but I cannot acces it. Thanks
I have got a question. Can I exchange chilli flakes to a fresh chilli? It’s look yummy but I haven’t got chilli flakes. Very nice recipe.
Yes, you can try.
To Dominik .. when I order pizza I always ask them to give me packets of chili flakes which I don’t use on my pizza but I keep in my refrigerator for recipes….xo
wonderful and soooo delicious. Memory of our times in Madrid, it nearly became sort of “staple diet” :) :)
I love Madrid and Spain, the food is so good! :)
Thxs for the delicious and easy recipe(;
Thanks Samantha.
Good Morning. I am Joe and I live in Maryland, and am a passionate, if not brilliant cook
I get your-mails as I find your tastes mimic mine- or my yours-nearly perfectly, I abhor bland food. I like heat, but not so much it over powers the flavor of the recipe. Both my parents were born in Tuscany, Italy and they have a much broader cuisine than Southern Italy.
I love your emails- they have new ideas that I know are worth trying. I just wanted you t know that you have a kindred spirit :)
P.S. I have been to Malaysia- loved it :)
Be well
Hi Joe, thanks so much for your kind comment. I appreciate it. Thanks for all your support and happy holidays!
Dear RASA
p
your recipes and presentation is beautiful
Easy to follow
Will definitely try .
Thank you for sharing
10 stars
Thanks!! Happy holidays!