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Weeknight style Chipotle BBQ Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Ranch Slaw…and mango avocado salsa too. Because loaded shrimp tacos are just better. Quick cooking shrimp seasoned with a smoky chipotle chili spice mix. Then pan-seared and stuffed into charred tortillas for the quickest cooking weeknight seafood taco. Serve each taco with a creamy, cooling cilantro lime ranch slaw and mango salsa. These come together in minutes and are so delicious…the perfect weeknight dinner. Bonus, the chipotle shrimp makes for a great leftover Mexican inspired salad.

overhead photo of Chipotle BBQ Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Ranch Slaw

Say hello to the quickest cooking weeknight taco that’s also incredibly delicious. These might sound a bit odd, with that creamy ranch slaw and mango salsa, but trust me, these tacos are the best. They’re smoky, spicy, creamy, and balanced with a touch of sweetness. All the flavors I love most.

With the days becoming nicer and nicer (excluding the full day of snow we had this past Sunday), I’m left wanting to create simpler recipes that cook up fast. Yesterday I shared a quick pizza topped with garden produce. Today we’re switching up flavors, and going with a Mexican inspired recipe.

overhead photo of Chipotle BBQ Shrimp on plate after cooking

The details on these chipotle BBQ shrimp tacos.

As I said, these tacos come together fast, but the ingredient list looks long. Please don’t let that scare you off. Most of the ingredients are spices and or ingredients that end up repeating themselves throughout the recipe.

Since the shrimp cooks so quickly, you should prepare the slaw first. I’m not going to lie, up until this year I was never someone who cared much for slaw. I always found it to be bland, boring, soggy, and honestly just flavorless. I never understood why people would happily enjoy slaw. Then I made my own slaw with crunchy cabbage and a homemade sauce that actually has flavor.

And when I say homemade sauce, I mean cilantro lime ranch, which I am in love with. It’s creamy, made with plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream), has plenty of fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of both onion and garlic powder. You could certainly add chopped fresh chives too. That would be great! This ranch sauce is the creamy, cooling factor to these tacos. You need it, so don’t skip.

Once you have the ranch mixed up, toss it together with the slaw ingredients. And done. That’s your sauce and slaw all in one.

overhead photo of mango salsa in bowl

Now, cook that shrimp.

The thing I love most about shrimp is just how quick and easy it is to cook. Toss it with spices or a sauce, then pan cook…or even toss it on the grill. Deliciously cooked shrimp, ready to eat in ten to fifteen minutes flat.

The other thing I love? You can keep frozen shrimp in the freezer and have it thawed in a matter of minutes. So you see? Shrimp is the perfect seafood to always have on hand for quick meals.

And aside from how easy it is, it’s almost always delicious. This chipotle “BBQ” style spice rub is one of my favorite seasoning blends to toss with shrimp. It’s a simple mix of chipotle chili powder, smoky paprika, a touch of garlic powder, and salt. All spices I hope you have in your spice cabinet. Just toss the shrimp with the seasoning blend and pan sear until crispy and charring on the edges.

Simple.

overhead photo of Chipotle BBQ Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Ranch Slaw

And lastly…that salsa!

Yes, the salsa might seem like an unimportant extra step, but I do think you need it. It’s just too good to not include. It adds a really fresh finish and a sweet bite to each taco.

If you don’t love mango, try using pineapple. Both are great additions.

And guys…that’s all I have for you today! A quick post for a quick dinner!

To sum this up real fast…in just about 30 minutes you’ll have loaded chipotle shrimp tacos, with creamy ranch slaw, and really delicious mango salsa.

All these shrimp tacos need are a Watermelon Rosè Paloma.

overhead close up photo of Chipotle BBQ Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Ranch Slaw

Looking for other quick shrimp recipes? Here are some favorites…

15 Minute Cajun Hot Honey Butter Shrimp

Cajun Pepper Shrimp with Creamed Corn Orzo

20 Minute Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp

Lastly, if you make these chipotle BBQ shrimp tacos with creamy ranch slaw be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Chipotle BBQ Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Ranch Slaw.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 369 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Cilantro LIme Ranch + Slaw

Chipotle Shrimp

Mango Avocado Salsa

Instructions

  • 1. Make the ranch. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake or stir until creamy. 
    2. To make the slaw, add the cabbage to a bowl with a few spoonfuls of the ranch and toss to combine. Add the cilantro and chives, and season with salt.
    3. To cook the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry, then toss with the chipotle chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
    4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shrimp and cook until pink and lightly charring, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the heat.
    5. To make the salsa, combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
    6. Stuff the slaw into the warmed tortillas. Top with shrimp, salsa, and additional ranch. Enjoy! 
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Easy and so good! Fits into my new pescatarian diet. The best shrimp tacos I’ve made. Can’t wait to have them again.

    1. Hey Litesia,
      Happy Friday!!⛄️ Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is an absolute winner! I love all the recipes from your page and know they’re all failsafes and truly delicious every time but this one was a real stand out!

    Thank you for sharing and making yummy dinners so easy to make!

    1. Hey Julia,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review:)

  3. 5 stars
    Everything was so so good!!!

    My husband and I aren’t big spicy eaters. We cut down the chipotle powder to 1 teaspoon for us!

    For the slaw component, we used a broccoli and carrot slaw bag from Trader Joe’s.

    Thank you again for sharing your magic!

    1. Hi Emily,
      Happy Monday!! Thanks a lot for making this dish and sharing your review, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week! xx

  4. 5 stars
    Loved it! It was very easy to prepare. The flavors went perfectly together. I will definitely make this again. The season was so good on the shrimp, I will use that blend again for other recipes.

    1. Hi Judy,
      Happy Wednesday! I really appreciate you taking the time to make this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit! xxT

    1. Hi Elizabeth,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a hit, thanks a bunch for trying it out! ☀️xxT

  5. 5 stars
    I wanted shrimp tacos for Cinco de Mayo and HOLY GUACAMOLE these were FANTASTIC. Sweet, spicy, savory ? so good!!!

    1. Hey Rachel,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT

  6. 5 stars
    Really like the recipe but i scaled back the chipotle powder to take care of those that don’t like it too hot! Slaw went perfectly!!!

  7. 5 stars
    I had a big bag of frozen prawns to use, so I made this on Friday, and it was fantastic! My family devoured every crumb. I didn’t have any cabbage, so I made a shredded carrot slaw instead – worked great. I love the Mexican-inspired dishes! Never can have too many tacos. 🙂

    1. Hi Aline,
      Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan

    1. Hey Kara,
      Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great day:) xxT

    1. Hey Kristen,
      Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great day:) xxT

  8. 5 stars
    These were delicious and easy to make! The slaw was perfect combi with the shrimp. Going to use this recipe with Mahi Mahi tacos next! Yum.

    1. Hey Maddie,
      Wonderful!! I am so so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks a bunch for making it! xT

  9. 5 stars
    OMG! I can’t say enough positive comments about this shrimp recipe. All the crazy delicious flavors had my husband and me yummin’ and groaning all through the meal. We ate them last night and put the recipe on repeat for tonight. Way to go,Tieghan! Another stellar winner foe my saved recipe box.