Description
Camarones a la Diabla is a vibrant Mexican dish featuring succulent shrimp simmered in a bold, spicy chile sauce made from dried guajillo and árbol chiles, tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic spices. This quick and flavorful recipe delivers a perfect balance of heat and tang, ideal for serving with rice, warm tortillas, or fresh avocado.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1½ lbs (680 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Chile Sauce
- 3 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 2–4 dried árbol chiles, adjusted to taste
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ small onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the Chiles: Toast the dried guajillo and árbol chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30–60 seconds per side, taking care not to burn them to preserve their flavor.
- Soak the Chiles: Place the toasted chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 10–15 minutes to soften, then drain thoroughly.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the softened chiles, chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, broth, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the blended chile sauce into the same skillet. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Butter: Stir the butter into the simmering sauce until melted and fully combined, enriching the flavor and texture.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the sauce. Cook together for 2–3 minutes more, ensuring the shrimp are fully cooked and infused with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve immediately with your choice of white rice, warm tortillas, avocado, or a fresh green salad.
Notes
- Adjust the number of árbol chiles to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent a rubbery texture; shrimp cook very quickly.
- Traditional accompaniments include white rice, warm tortillas, avocado slices, or a crisp salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Seafood
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
