Spicy Crispy Shrimp Salad (Printable)

Crisp shrimp paired with fresh greens, avocado, and a tangy sriracha-lime dressing for a lively, satisfying meal.

# 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:

01 - Pat shrimp dry. Arrange three shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of panko, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
02 - Dredge each shrimp sequentially in flour, egg wash, then panko mixture until fully coated.
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 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
05 - Arrange romaine lettuce, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber in a serving bowl or plates. Top with crispy shrimp.
06 - Drizzle dressing over salad and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately.

# Top Suggestions:

01 -
  • The shrimp gets genuinely crispy, not soggy or rubbery—the breading actually stays golden for a few minutes after frying.
  • That sriracha-lime dressing tastes better than anything you'd order at a restaurant, and you can make it while the shrimp cooks.
  • It's substantial enough for a real meal but doesn't leave you feeling sluggish on a warm day.
  • The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, so it's perfect when you want something that feels fancy but isn't actually complicated.
02 -
  • Wet shrimp will splatter and won't crisp up—paper towels are non-negotiable, and this is the step that separates good shrimp from mediocre shrimp.
  • The oil temperature matters more than you think; if it's not hot enough, you'll end up with greasy, soggy breadcrumbs instead of a golden crust.
  • Make the dressing at least 10 minutes before you want to eat because the flavors get better as it sits, and the lime juice mellows slightly.
03 -
  • Buy pre-peeled shrimp if your budget allows—it genuinely saves time and the quality is just as good as peeling them yourself.
  • If you're nervous about deep frying, start with just a few shrimp to get a feel for how the oil behaves and how quickly they cook.
  • Lime juice is crucial, not optional—bottled doesn't quite work the same way, so squeeze fresh if you possibly can.
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