Spicy Calabrian Chili Shrimp (Print)

Toasted bread topped with shrimp sautéed in garlicky Calabrian chili oil for a bold, zesty bite.

# Ingredients:

→ Seafood

01 - 14 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Bread

02 - 4 slices rustic sourdough or Italian bread

→ Aromatics & Herbs

03 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Oils & Spices

05 - 3 tablespoons Calabrian chili oil
06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Garnish

10 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Place bread slices on a baking sheet, brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and toast for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and crisp.
02 - While bread toasts, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
03 - Add shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until shrimp just turn pink.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in Calabrian chili oil and lemon zest, tossing shrimp to coat evenly. Cook for another minute, then remove from heat.
05 - Pile garlicky chili shrimp onto toasted bread slices. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in 25 minutes, perfect for when you want something impressive but not exhausting.
  • Calabrian chili oil is the real star here—it brings a fruity heat that makes you want another bite immediately.
  • It works equally well as an elegant appetizer or a casual lunch, no apologies needed either way.
02 -
  • Don't let the garlic brown or your entire dish tastes like burnt bitterness—medium heat and constant movement are your friends here.
  • The toast has to be properly crispy before it hits the plate, otherwise the warm shrimp oil will turn it into mush within minutes.
03 -
  • Buy your shrimp the same day you plan to cook—their sweetness fades quickly, and fresh shrimp make an enormous difference in how this tastes.
  • Keep a small bowl of extra chili oil next to the plate when you serve these—people inevitably want to drizzle more, and it's better to hand it to them than watch them wish they'd asked.
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