Description
A flavorful and spicy Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad featuring succulent blackened shrimp coated with a smoky spice blend and drizzled with sweet hot honey, served atop crisp romaine lettuce tossed in creamy Caesar dressing, garnished with Parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and fresh lemon wedges. Perfect for a quick, satisfying, and healthy main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Spice Mix
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon hot honey (plus more for drizzling)
Salad
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought croutons
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring better searing and blackening.
- Season the Shrimp: In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer to allow even cooking. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn opaque and develop a blackened crust.
- Glaze with Hot Honey: Drizzle the cooked shrimp with 1 tablespoon of hot honey and toss gently to coat all pieces, then remove the skillet from the heat to prevent overcooking.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing until the leaves are evenly coated.
- Plate the Salad: Divide the dressed romaine among serving plates. Top with the blackened shrimp, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and croutons for texture and flavor.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle additional hot honey over the salad if desired for extra sweetness and spice. Serve each plate with lemon wedges on the side to add fresh citrus brightness.
Notes
- Adjust the spice heat by increasing or decreasing cayenne pepper and hot honey to suit your taste preferences.
- For alternative proteins, substitute the shrimp with grilled chicken or tofu for a different variation of this salad.
- To make a lighter version, opt for a Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing instead of traditional creamy dressing.
