Sweet & Spicy Chili-Lime Shrimp Rice Stack

📝 Serves: 4

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

🧂 Ingredients

🔹 Shrimp

• 1½ lbs (680g) large shrimp, peeled & deveined

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• Salt & black pepper to taste

🔹 Sweet Chili Glaze

• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust heat level)

• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

• 1 tsp sesame oil

🔹 Rice Base

• 2 cups jasmine rice

• 2½ cups water

• 1 tbsp butter (optional for richness)

• Pinch salt

🔹 Crispy Rice Layer (Optional but recommended)

• 1–2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado or vegetable)

🔹 Avocado Salsa

• 2 ripe avocados, diced

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, chopped

• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced

• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• Salt to taste

🔹 Garnish

• Extra cilantro

• Lime wedges

• Red pepper flakes

• Sesame seeds (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Rice

1. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear.

2. Combine rice, water, and salt in a pot.

3. Bring to boil, reduce to low, cover and cook 15 minutes.

4. Turn off heat and let steam 10 minutes.

5. Fluff with fork and stir in butter if using.

2️⃣ Create the Crispy Rice Base (Restaurant Style)

1. Heat 1–2 tbsp oil in a nonstick or cast-iron pan over medium heat.

2. Press cooked rice into the pan about 1 inch thick.

3. Cook undisturbed 5–7 minutes until bottom forms a golden crust.

4. Flip carefully or portion into round molds for plating.

This gives that beautiful golden crust seen in the image.

3️⃣ Make the Sweet Chili Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk:

• Sweet chili sauce

• Soy sauce

• Honey

• Sriracha

• Lime juice

• Sesame oil

Set aside.

4️⃣ Cook the Shrimp

1. Pat shrimp dry.

2. Toss with olive oil, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat skillet over medium-high.

4. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side (until pink).

5. Lower heat and pour in glaze.

6. Simmer 1–2 minutes until thick and glossy.

7. Remove from heat immediately (don’t overcook).

5️⃣ Make Avocado Salsa

Gently combine:

• Avocado

• Tomatoes

• Red onion

• Cilantro

• Lime juice

• Salt

Keep chunky.

🍽 Assembly (Plating Like the Photo)

1. Use a ring mold to shape crispy rice into a thick round stack.

2. Spoon shrimp generously over the rice.

3. Drizzle extra sauce around the plate.

4. Top with avocado salsa.

5. Garnish with cilantro, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds.

6. Add lime wedges on the side.

🌶 Flavor Tips

• Want it spicier? Add chili crisp to the glaze.

• Want smokier? Grill the shrimp instead.

• Add a drizzle of spicy mayo (mayo + sriracha + lime).

• For a tropical twist: add diced mango to the salsa.

🥗 Optional Add-Ons

• Black beans mixed into rice

• Corn salsa

• Pickled jalapeños

• Cabbage slaw