Cajun Baked Shrimp

Cajun Baked Shrimp

Cajun Baked Shrimp: A Flavorful & Easy Dish

If you're craving bold flavors with minimal effort, this Cajun Baked Shrimp recipe is for you! With a quick marinade full of Cajun seasoning, fresh lemon, honey, and parsley, these shrimp come together in just 10 minutes of cooking time. Serve them with grilled French bread for a perfect, easy meal that delivers on flavor.

Whether you're preparing for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is guaranteed to impress with its zesty, slightly spicy kick. Pair it with Authentic Cajun Dirty Rice for a true Louisiana-inspired meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Unkie's Coastal Cajun Seasoning
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
  • 1 lb uncooked large shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • Lemon wedges (for garnish)
  • Grilled French bread (for serving)

Instructions:

  1. Combine the Marinade: In a large oven-proof dish, such as a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a 9x13 casserole dish, mix together the olive oil, Unkie's Coastal Cajun, lemon juice, fresh parsley, honey, soy sauce, and optional cayenne pepper for extra spice.

  2. Add Shrimp and Marinate: Add the uncooked shrimp to the dish and toss them in the marinade until they are fully coated. For the best flavor, refrigerate the shrimp for 1 hour, but this step is optional if you're in a hurry.

  3. Preheat the Oven: When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 450°F.

  4. Bake the Shrimp: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the shrimp cook evenly. The shrimp are ready when they turn pink and are cooked through.

  5. Serve: Garnish with lemon wedges and serve the shrimp with grilled French bread on the side. For an authentic Cajun experience, pair the shrimp with Authentic Cajun Dirty Rice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

This Cajun Baked Shrimp recipe is the perfect combination of spicy, tangy, and sweet, with Unkie's Coastal Cajun Seasoning giving it a signature Southern kick. The dish is incredibly easy to prepare, with minimal cooking time, but the flavors make it taste like a gourmet meal. The marinade is simple yet bold, and the shrimp soak up all those rich, savory notes.

Tips for Success:

  • Marinate for extra flavor: While the shrimp taste great even without marinating, allowing them to soak in the marinade for an hour amplifies the flavor.
  • Adjust the heat: If you love a spicy kick, don’t be shy about adding the optional cayenne pepper. You can also increase the Coastal Cajun Seasoning for extra heat.
  • Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on them in the oven. They’re done when they turn pink and opaque.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Pair this shrimp with grilled French bread for dipping into the flavorful marinade.
  • Serve alongside Authentic Cajun Dirty Rice for a complete Cajun-inspired meal.

Why Bake in Cast Iron?

A cast iron skillet is ideal for this dish because it distributes heat evenly, ensuring that the shrimp cook perfectly while allowing the flavors in the marinade to meld together beautifully. If you don’t have cast iron, a 9x13 casserole dish works just as well.

This Cajun Baked Shrimp recipe brings together the best of Cajun flavors with a quick and easy cooking process. It's the perfect go-to recipe when you want a tasty, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

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