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Flavorful Chopped Blackened Shrimp Caesar Salad Recipe with Crispy Capers Made Easy

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A bold and vibrant chopped Caesar salad featuring smoky blackened shrimp and crispy capers for a satisfying crunch and punchy flavor. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing shrimp)
  • 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz) classic Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
  • ¼ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup croutons, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the blackening spice blend. Mix well and set aside.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss shrimp in about 1 tablespoon of the blackening spice, coating evenly. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Roughly chop the Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add rinsed capers and fry until crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook about 2 minutes per side until blackened and opaque. Cook in batches if needed. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped Romaine, Caesar dressing, fresh lemon juice, and half the Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to coat.
  7. Add blackened shrimp to the salad and toss lightly. Sprinkle crispy capers, remaining Parmesan, and croutons on top.
  8. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before seasoning for best sear. Fry capers just before serving to keep them crispy. Use a heavy skillet like cast iron for even heat. Avoid overcrowding shrimp in pan to prevent steaming. Adjust cayenne pepper to control spice level. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast and use dairy-free Caesar dressing. Store dressing and salad components separately from shrimp and capers to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: blackened shrimp, Caesar salad, crispy capers, quick salad, seafood salad, summer salad, easy dinner, healthy salad

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/flavorful-chopped-blackened-shrimp-caesar-salad-recipe-with-crispy-capers-made-easy/