A colorful, fresh bowl made with charred seasoned shrimp, fluffy rice, creamy avocado, sweet mango, fresh vegetables, and a creamy chili-lime sauce. The flavor combination of smoky shrimp, sweet mango, creamy avocado, and tangy sauce makes this a great lunch or dinner. Similar shrimp bowls commonly pair grilled shrimp with rice, avocado, mango salsa, and a lime-chili sauce.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
For the Bowl
- 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup diced tomato
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
Creamy Chili-Lime Sauce
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp honey
- Pinch of salt
- 1–2 tsp water, if needed to thin
Instructions
1. Season the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Add shrimp to a bowl with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Toss until evenly coated.
2. Cook the Shrimp
Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer.
Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and nicely charred around the edges. Remove immediately so they don’t become rubbery.
3. Prepare the Fresh Toppings
Combine diced mango, red onion, cucumber, tomato, and cilantro in a bowl. Add a small squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt. Gently toss.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
Whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, garlic powder, honey, and salt. Add a little water until the sauce reaches a smooth, drizzleable consistency.
5. Assemble
Add warm cooked rice to each bowl. Arrange the grilled shrimp, avocado slices, mango mixture, cucumber, and tomatoes around the rice.
Drizzle generously with the creamy chili-lime sauce and finish with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge.
Serve immediately.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Course: Lunch / Dinner
- Cuisine: American-inspired / Mexican-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving; values vary depending on the exact rice, sauce, avocado, and shrimp portions.
- Calories: ~430 kcal
- Protein: ~30 g
- Carbohydrates: ~48 g
- Fat: ~14 g
- Saturated Fat: ~2.5 g
- Fiber: ~6 g
- Sugar: ~13 g
- Sodium: ~650 mg
For comparison, similar shrimp-and-avocado bowls are generally reported around 350 calories per serving, depending heavily on rice, sauce, and portion sizes.
Tips
- Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning for better browning.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches if necessary.
- Use a ripe but firm avocado and mango so they hold their shape.
- For extra heat, add jalapeño or a little Sriracha to the sauce.
- For a lighter bowl, substitute quinoa or cauliflower rice for white rice.
- Keep the sauce separate if meal-prepping.
Q&A
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yes. Thaw completely, drain, and pat them very dry before seasoning.
Q: Can I use brown rice?
A: Absolutely. Brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice all work well.
Q: How do I prevent shrimp from becoming rubbery?
A: Cook only until they turn pink and opaque with light char marks, then remove them from the heat immediately.
Q: Can I make this without mayonnaise?
A: Yes. Use extra Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
Q: Can I make the bowl spicy?
A: Yes! Add jalapeño, cayenne, chili flakes, or Sriracha to the shrimp or sauce.
Q: Is this good for meal prep?
A: Yes. Store the shrimp, rice, vegetables, avocado, and sauce separately and assemble just before eating.
Q: Can I replace shrimp?
A: Yes. Grilled chicken or tofu can be used as alternatives.
Q: What makes this bowl flavorful?
A: The combination of smoky seasoned shrimp, sweet mango, creamy avocado, fresh vegetables, lime, and the creamy chili sauce gives it a sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory balance.