Spicy Crispy Shrimp Salad (Printable View)

Golden crispy shrimp on fresh greens with avocado and a zesty sriracha-lime dressing for a bright, tasty dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Crispy Shrimp

01 - 1.1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper
09 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
10 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ Salad

11 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
12 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
13 - 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - ½ cucumber, sliced
16 - Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish

→ Sriracha-Lime Dressing

17 - 3 tbsp mayonnaise
18 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
19 - 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
20 - 1 tbsp sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
21 - 1 tsp honey
22 - ½ tsp garlic powder
23 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Arrange three shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and the panko mixture combined with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
02 - Dredge each shrimp in flour, then dip in egg, and coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture.
03 - Heat vegetable oil to approximately 175°C (350°F) to a depth of ¾ inch in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels.
04 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
05 - Arrange chopped romaine, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber in a large bowl or on individual plates.
06 - Top salad with crispy shrimp, drizzle with dressing, and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The shrimp stay crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, turning a simple salad into something you'll actually crave.
  • It's ready in 30 minutes flat, which means you can have restaurant-quality food on the table before you'd even finish scrolling through delivery apps.
  • The sriracha-lime dressing cuts through the richness with bright, spicy notes that make every bite feel alive.
02 -
  • Dry shrimp completely before breading, or the coating won't adhere and everything falls apart in the hot oil—I learned this the hard way with a splashing mess.
  • The oil temperature matters more than you'd think; too cool and your shrimp absorbs grease instead of crisping, too hot and the outside burns while the inside stays cold.
  • Assemble the salad right before serving because the warm shrimp will start to wilt the greens, and that's not the vibe.
03 -
  • If you don't have a kitchen thermometer, use the panko test: drop a tiny piece into the oil, and when it sizzles and browns immediately, you're at the right temperature.
  • For a lighter version, you can bake the breaded shrimp at 220°C (425°F) for 12–15 minutes, though the crispy texture won't be quite the same, it's still good.
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