Description
This Hot Honey Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad is a vibrant twist on the classic Caesar salad, combining spicy, sweet, and smoky flavors with tender blackened shrimp. The shrimp are seasoned with a bold blend of spices, pan-seared to perfection, and glazed with a hot honey and butter mixture. Served atop crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and crunchy garlic croutons, all tossed in creamy Caesar dressing, this salad offers a perfect balance of heat, richness, and freshness, making it an ideal easy dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Hot Honey Glaze
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salad
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup garlic croutons
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to create a balanced blackening seasoning.
- Season the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they blacken properly. Toss them in olive oil to coat evenly, then dredge the shrimp thoroughly in the prepared seasoning mixture until evenly coated.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until the shrimp are blackened on the outside and cooked through, turning pink and opaque.
- Make the hot honey glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together hot honey, melted butter, and lemon juice until well combined.
- Glaze the shrimp: Drizzle the hot honey mixture over the cooked shrimp in the skillet and toss gently to coat every piece with the sweet and spicy glaze. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic croutons. Add Caesar dressing and toss well to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Serve: Plate the salad and top with the hot honey blackened shrimp. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the salad at its freshest.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add shaved Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper on top of the salad.
- Adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing the amount of cayenne pepper according to your spice preference.
- For a smoky flavor variation, grill the shrimp instead of pan-searing them.
