Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Published July 13, 2016. Updated April 21, 2020

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Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice — skillet cooked shrimp is tossed with bright lime and fresh cilantro then served over a bed of rich coconut rice. It’s the perfect tropical meal you can enjoy any day of the year!

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice in blue serving bowl

Easy Cilantro Lime Shrimp Recipe

Could there be a better way to enjoy summer than with this delicious tropical Cilantro-Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice? I recently shared a salmon recipe with coconut rice and I fell absolutely in love with it so I decided to make something else along those lines and keep a great thing going.

Believe it or not, with THIS recipe I was able to get my husband and my daughter who don’t like shrimp to eat it and love it!

It has such a bright, fresh lime flavor and the cilantro and garlic add just that much more deliciousness.

And this coconut rice, don’t get me started! I’ve been obsessed for the last few weeks since I first tried it (seriously though, where has it been all my life?) and I got my mom hooked too, she’s been eating it probably 5 times a week since she’s on a low gluten diet.

It’s just so much more exciting than plain white rice and it’s so delicious plain on its own.

It has such a rich flavor, a slightly creamy texture (but don’t worry it’s not mushy) and the coconut undertones will leave you craving more.

If you, like I have been, are trying to get someone else in your family to enjoy shrimp then this may likely be the recipe to do just that!

And better yet this is a quick and easy dish to prepare – all around dinner win! Plus it can be made into a fun family dinner if you serve it up island style with pineapple and some kind of tropical punch, then decorate the table with bright, tropical colored flowers.

close up of Cilantro Lime Shrimp with lime wedges

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Ingredients

This dish is super flavorful thanks to the cilantro lime shrimp marinade. Here’s what you’ll need to make both the shrimp and the coconut milk rice:

  • Large shrimp
  • Olive oil
  • Green onions
  • Garlic
  • Ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lime juice and zest
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Coconut Rice (calls for jasmine rice, coconut milk, coconut water, and salt)

Cilantro Lime Shrimp in skillet

How to Make Cilantro Lime Shrimp

This is a quick and easy skillet shrimp recipe. Here are the basics steps on how to cook shrimp in a skillet:

  • Cook the coconut rice 25 minutes before making the shrimp.
  • Heat olive oil over medium-high heat, then green onions and garlic. Sauté until lightly golden.
  • Add the shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle with cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Once the shrimp is cooked, remove from heat and toss with lime juice, zest, and cilantro.
  • Serve the cilantro lime shrimp over a bed of coconut milk rice.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes, frozen shrimp can be used in this recipe. Be sure to buy raw frozen shrimp and thaw them before cooking.

Can I Meal Prep This Recipe?

I suppose you could, but the cilantro lime shrimp is best enjoyed right away. Seafood in general doesn’t reheat well (it becomes rubbery), and cooked shrimp doesn’t last long in the fridge.

two bowls of Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice

Tips for Making Cilantro Lime Shrimp

  • If you want a stronger coconut flavor, just stir in some shredded coconut when you fluff the rice after it has cooked.
  • I don’t recommend using pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. It’d be far too tough to eat after being cooked again in the sauce.
  • For easier prep, buy shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined.

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5 from 3 votes

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice

Skillet cooked shrimp is tossed with bright lime and fresh cilantro then served over a bed of rich coconut rice. The perfect tropical meal!
Servings: 4
Prep15 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Ready in: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

Make the rice:

  • Prepare coconut rice about 25 minutes before preparing shrimp as it takes 20 minutes to cook and 5 minutes resting time until it's ready.

Make the shrimp:

  • Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions and garlic and saute until garlic is light golden, about 30 seconds. 
  • Add shrimp, sprinkle cumin evenly over top, season with salt and pepper to taste and saute until shrimp is opaque and cooked through, about 3 minutes. 
  • Remove from heat, toss with lime juice, cilantro and lime zest. Serve warm over coconut rice.

Notes

  • *Click HERE for Coconut Rice recipe.
  • If you want a stronger coconut flavor, just stir in some shredded coconut when you fluff the rice after it has cooked.
  • I don't recommend using pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. It'd be far too tough to eat after being cooked again in the sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 487 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 357mg119%
Sodium 190mg8%
Potassium 145mg4%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 1g4%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 150IU3%
Vitamin C 10.6mg13%
Calcium 216mg22%
Iron 3.2mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.