The smoky chipotle heat, the brightness of lime, and the indulgent crunch of bacon come together in a single irresistible bite. These Bacon-Wrapped Chipotle Lime Shrimp are perfect for casual cookouts, summer parties, or elegant appetizer platters.
Brining the shrimp ensures they stay juicy, while precooking the bacon gives it that crisp finish without overcooking the delicate seafood. Whether grilled or baked, this easy yet show-stopping dish will win you serious flavor points with your guests.
Full Recipe:
For the Brine (optional but recommended):
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1/4 cup kosher salt (Diamond Crystal, or 3 tbsp if using Morton’s)
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1/4 cup sugar
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4 cups water
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1 cup ice
For the Shrimp:
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1 lb large raw shrimp (12–20 count), peeled and deveined, tail-on
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2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
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Zest of 1 lime
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2 tbsp lime juice
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1/2 tsp chipotle or chili powder (adjust to taste)
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6 to 10 thin bacon slices, cut in half (half as many pieces as shrimp)
Directions:
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Brine the Shrimp (Optional): In a large bowl, whisk salt, sugar, and water until dissolved. Add ice and shrimp. Let sit for 30 minutes, then drain.
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Preheat: Grill to high, direct heat or preheat oven to 400°F. If grilling, soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes.
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Marinate: In a bowl, mix lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, and chipotle powder. Toss shrimp in mixture until well coated.
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Precook Bacon: Place bacon on a paper towel-lined microwave-safe plate, cover with another towel, and microwave 1.5 to 2 minutes until slightly rendered but still pliable.
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Wrap: Wrap each shrimp in a half slice of bacon. If grilling, thread onto skewers. If baking, secure with toothpicks and place on foil-lined sheet.
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Brush: Brush remaining lime-chipotle marinade over the outside of the bacon-wrapped shrimp.
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Cook:
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Grill: 3 minutes per side, uncovered.
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Oven: 8 to 11 minutes, until bacon is crisp and shrimp is pink and opaque.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 145 kcal | Servings: 12
A Spicy, Savory Marriage of Bacon and Shrimp
Bacon-Wrapped Chipotle Lime Shrimp is more than just an appetizer — it’s a bold flavor explosion that showcases the perfect interplay between land and sea. This dish marries smoky chipotle spice with tangy lime and the unmistakable savoriness of crisped bacon, wrapped around plump, juicy shrimp. With roots in Southern and Latin-inspired cuisine, it’s a recipe that brings festive energy to everything from backyard BBQs to upscale cocktail parties.
What makes this dish so unforgettable isn’t just the combination of ingredients — it’s how each component is carefully prepped and treated to maximize flavor, texture, and presentation. It’s a culinary experience packed into a bite-sized, handheld delight.
Why This Recipe Works
At a glance, the recipe may seem straightforward: wrap shrimp in bacon, season, cook, and serve. But there’s a bit of kitchen science and thoughtfulness behind each step.
First, the shrimp are often brined — a highly recommended but optional step. Brining involves soaking the shrimp in a salt-and-sugar solution that ensures they remain moist and tender throughout the cooking process. This step is especially beneficial when using high heat, such as on a grill, which can otherwise dry out shrimp rather quickly.
Next, the bacon is partially cooked before being wrapped around the shrimp. This is a crucial trick. Raw bacon takes significantly longer to cook than shrimp, and wrapping it around uncooked shrimp means the shrimp may overcook or even become rubbery while the bacon slowly crisps up. By precooking the bacon to render some of the fat and make it pliable, you reduce overall cooking time and allow both the bacon and shrimp to reach perfect doneness simultaneously.
Flavor Fusion: Chipotle, Lime, and Smoke
The flavor profile of this recipe walks a beautiful line between spicy, tangy, and smoky. Chipotle powder — made from smoked and dried jalapeños — offers a deep, earthy heat that doesn’t overwhelm but builds with each bite. It’s a spice that plays well with smoky ingredients, making it the natural partner for bacon.
Then there’s lime, which cuts through the fat of the bacon and balances the richness of the shrimp with a burst of acidity. Both lime zest and juice are used for maximum impact, infusing the dish with a citrusy brightness that contrasts perfectly with the chipotle heat.
Combined with olive oil, the marinade not only seasons the shrimp but also helps with even cooking and slight caramelization during grilling or baking. When brushed on both before and after wrapping, it contributes to a lacquered finish that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Methods: Oven vs. Grill
One of the great strengths of Bacon-Wrapped Chipotle Lime Shrimp is its versatility. The dish can be prepared on a grill or in an oven, each method offering unique benefits.
Grilling adds an extra layer of smokiness that complements the chipotle and bacon. The high, direct heat chars the bacon slightly while sealing in the shrimp’s natural juices. Using skewers is highly recommended for grill cooking — not only does it make flipping easier, but it also helps maintain structural integrity as the bacon shrinks slightly during the cook.
Baking, on the other hand, offers more control and ease. It’s ideal for indoor prep, and by lining the baking sheet with foil or using a wire rack, you can achieve crispy bacon without the need to flip or rotate the shrimp. The oven method is more forgiving and perfect when cooking for a larger group.
Entertaining with Elegance and Ease
This dish is a natural crowd-pleaser. It checks all the boxes for a standout appetizer: it’s flavorful, bite-sized, hand-held, and visually impressive. With the tails left on the shrimp, they double as built-in handles, making them ideal finger food for cocktail hours, tapas tables, or game-day spreads.
It’s also scalable. Whether you’re making a dozen for a small dinner or dozens more for a party, this recipe is easily doubled or tripled without requiring extra prep time per batch. You can even prepare them in advance — brine and marinate the shrimp, precook the bacon, and assemble ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to serve, just grill or bake fresh for maximum flavor and texture.
Pairing Suggestions
These shrimp pair beautifully with a range of dishes and drinks. For sides, consider serving them alongside:
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Fresh corn salad with lime vinaigrette
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Avocado crema or chipotle aioli for dipping
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Lightly dressed coleslaw with a vinegar base
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Grilled vegetables or skewers
For drinks, the tangy-lime and chipotle notes match well with:
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Margaritas (especially with a smoky mezcal base)
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Crisp, citrus-forward beers like pale ales or pilsners
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Dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño
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Sparkling water with lime for a non-alcoholic option
Their bold flavor and satisfying mouthfeel also make them a great stand-alone feature on appetizer trays, especially when garnished with cilantro or lime wedges for color contrast.
Customizing the Dish
While the base recipe is nearly perfect, there are a few ways to make it your own. Consider these variations:
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Add a sliver of jalapeño or a dab of cream cheese inside the bacon wrap for a sweet-and-spicy combo reminiscent of jalapeño poppers.
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Swap chipotle powder for smoked paprika if you want less heat but still love that smoky depth.
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Use pancetta or prosciutto for a more European twist with thinner slices that crisp beautifully.
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Skewer with pineapple chunks between shrimp for a tropical fusion bite.
These tweaks allow you to cater to your audience’s spice level and flavor preferences, or even turn the dish into a more substantial entrée.
Nutritional Considerations
Despite the richness of bacon, this dish can fit into a low-carb or keto-friendly diet. Each serving offers a solid amount of protein and minimal carbohydrates. The use of fresh, whole ingredients — shrimp, lime, olive oil — ensures that it remains a relatively clean-eating dish. For those watching sodium intake, simply skip the brine and use reduced-sodium bacon.
Shrimp also provides a good source of selenium, iodine, and vitamin B12. Combined with the antioxidants found in chipotle and the vitamin C boost from lime, this dish strikes a balance between indulgence and nutrition.
Conclusion: A Must-Try Culinary Fusion
Bacon-Wrapped Chipotle Lime Shrimp is a powerful example of how simple ingredients, when treated with care and paired thoughtfully, can create a dish that’s truly sensational. From the initial tangy spice of lime and chipotle to the savory crunch of perfectly cooked bacon, every bite offers texture, contrast, and harmony.
It’s a dish that delivers on every level — presentation, taste, ease of preparation, and versatility. Whether served at a relaxed backyard gathering or passed around at a formal event, these shrimp are guaranteed to disappear within minutes of hitting the table.
What’s more, it’s adaptable to various cooking environments and flavor tweaks, ensuring that no two batches have to be the same. If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that impresses with minimal effort, Bacon-Wrapped Chipotle Lime Shrimp deserves a spot at the top of your culinary repertoire.
