Spicy Crispy Shrimp Salad (Print Version)

Fresh greens with crispy shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, and a tangy sriracha-lime dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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
21 - 1 tsp honey
22 - ½ tsp garlic powder
23 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko mixed with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
02 - Dredge each shrimp first in the flour, then dip into the eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture.
03 - Heat vegetable oil about ¾ inch deep in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
04 - Combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
05 - In a large bowl or individual plates, layer chopped romaine, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber. Top with crispy shrimp.
06 - Drizzle salad with sriracha-lime dressing and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy-golden shrimp and cool, creamy avocado feels indulgent but comes together in under 30 minutes.
  • That sriracha-lime dressing is genuinely addictive and works as a reminder that bold flavors don't need complexity.
  • You can feel good eating it—fresh vegetables, lean protein, and a salad that doesn't taste like punishment.
02 -
  • Moisture is the enemy of crispy shrimp—if you skip the paper towel drying step, your coating will steam rather than fry, and you'll taste disappointment instead of crunch.
  • The dressing is where your flavor power lives; don't shortcut the lime juice or skimp on the sriracha, because a bland dressing will make even perfectly fried shrimp feel flat.
03 -
  • If frying feels like too much, bake the breaded shrimp at 220°C for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway—they won't be quite as crispy, but they'll be golden, easier, and nearly as satisfying.
  • Make the dressing a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator; the flavors meld and deepen, and you'll have one less thing to do when you're assembling lunch.
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