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If you are looking for a show-stopper to bring to your next event, this Jalapeno Shrimp Appetizer is it! I made this amazing appetizer for a neighborhood get-together. Once a month everyone shows up with an appetizer to share, and we all get to hang out and catch up.
Chef's note · Build these right before they hit the table. The guacamole browns, and the shrimp want room in the pan or they steam instead of sear.
People kept walking around these bite-size snacks and commenting about how beautiful and delicious they were. Which always makes my heart the happiest, so needless to say I knew I need to share it with the world.
🛒 Ingredients
- Spicy Grilled Shrimp
- Shrimp - Peeled & Deveined
- Olive Oil
- Lime Juice
- Honey
- Fresh Cilantro
- Garlic - Minced
- Red Onion - Diced
- Dry Oregano
- Smoked Paprika
- Chili Powder
- Chipotle Powder
- Cumin
- Guacamole
- Mexican Chorizo - crumbled
- Cojita Cheese - or Mexican Crema
- Jalapeno Pita Chips - Stacy's Brand
- Jalapenos - for garnish
- Cherry Tomato - for garnish
The Jalapeno Pita Chip
I struggled to name this recipe. It felt like it was a tostada, but tostadas are classically served on fried tortillas. It wasn't quite a canape either, which is generally on bread or toast. We used Stacy's Fire Roasted Jalapeno Pita Chips which are now one of my new favorite snacks (they didn't pay me to say that either).
I needed something that would hold up heavy guacamole without getting soggy, and my brain immediately went to pita chips. Then I saw the fire-roasted jalapeno ones at the store I knew it would be perfect. The seasoning is spicy, but not overpowering. It set the stage for this stunning appetizer.
Guacamole, Shrimp & Chorizo
One of the things we love to do is use the same recipe in different ways for different things. Guacamole is more than a dip, it can also be a topping or a base. Our Spicy Grilled Shrimp is perfect in quesadillas, shrimp tacos, or just as a snack. Our Mexican chorizo can be used in queso, chori pollo, chorizo burgers, or as a spicy smokey crumble in this spicy shrimp snack.
Everything you'll need for this recipe is already at Tabetha's Table. We didn't need to create anything crazy & new because they were already perfect for this recipe. Citrusy and spicy shrimp, smokey chorizo, and creamy guacamole all in one big bite. I used one shrimp per pita chip, but you could easily have cut them in half. On a bite this small, the shrimp texture really shows - I always spring for the wild shrimp here.
📖 Instructions
You can find each individual recipe below. They are also grouped together in this post's main recipe. We will do a quick walkthrough here though!
Start by cooking your chorizo crumbles. In a small saute pan, lightly coated in olive oil break your chorizo into small pieces and let each brown nicely. Since we aren't making a lot, it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes or so.
Next, in a medium-sized bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the shrimp marinade and let them hang out for about 15 minutes.
You can either grill your shrimp on high heat for 2 minutes per side. Sear them in a pan, on medium-high heat with olive oil for 2 minutes per side. Or roast them in the oven at 400 for about 10 minutes.
Let's talk about how to layer and stack your Jalapeno Shrimp Appetizer...
Starting from the Bottom...
- Jalapeno Pita Chip
- Guacamole (use a piping bag or zip lock with the tip cut off)
- Chorizo Crumble
- Shrimp
- Jalapeno & Tomato - sliced thin and wedged in the shrimp center
- Cilantro - chopped and sprinkled on top for garnish
- Cojita and/or Mexican Crema - drizzled or sprinkled for garnish
👩🏼🍳 Chef Tip
#1 The guacamole will start to brown, so these need to be assembled right before serving!
#2 The shrimp can be made ahead of time and put in the fridge if needed. Unless you are serving them at home, immediately, the shrimp will have cooled down anyway.
#3 In a time crunch? Buy guacamole from the store, and skip the chorizo. They are still delicious!
#4 We used one shrimp per pita chip, but you could easily have cut them in half and made them go twice as far.
📖 Recipe
Jalapeno Shrimp Appetizer
Equipment
- Serving Platter
Ingredients
- ½ cup Guacamole - or homemade
- ¼ pound Mexican Chorizo - crumbled
- 1 tablespoon Cojita Cheese - or Mexican Crema
- 1 bag Jalapeno Pita Chips - Stacy's Brand
- 2 Jalapenos
- 1 pint Cherry Tomato
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 pound Shrimp - Peeled & Deveined
- ¼ cup Olive Oil -
- 14 cup Lime Juice -
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Cilantro
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Red Onion - Minced
- 2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Chipotle Powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients for the shrimp in a bowl and set to the side for 15 minutes or so.
- In a small saute pan on medium heat, brown the chorizo down to small crumbles and then set to the side.
- For the Shrimp, add 1-2 tablespoon of olive oil to a large saute pan and bring to medium-high heat.
- When oil is slightly shimmering add the shrimp one at a time, minding to not overcrowd the pan.
- Cook for 2 minutes and then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes on the other side until the center is no longer opaque.
Building
- Set out a layer of jalapeno pita chips.
- Next, using a pastry bag, add a small dollop of guacamole to each one.
- Add a small sprinkle of chorizo.
- Top each with the grilled shrimp, and add a thin slice of jalapeno and cherry tomato on top.
- Finish with a sprinkle of cojita cheese or Mexican cream, and fresh cilantro.
Video
Notes
- Assemble at the last minute so the pita chips stay crunchy under all those toppings.
- Don't overcrowd the shrimp pan or they'll steam instead of sear.
- Make-ahead: Cook the shrimp and chorizo and prep the guac earlier in the day, then build right before serving.
- Heat control: Seed the jalapenos for milder bites.
- A party favorite: These go fast, so make a double batch for a crowd.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated from the listed ingredients, and provided as a courtesy.
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