Description
This Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns recipe delivers a flavorful and spicy dish featuring succulent prawns seared to perfection and coated in a vibrant, sticky sauce made with garlic, ginger, sriracha, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar. Perfect as a main served with rice, it’s easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors that bring excitement to any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 500g / 1 lb prawns / shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil (or canola)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, very finely minced
- 2 tsp ginger, grated or finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) water
- 3 tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Garnish (optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions, finely sliced
- Red chillies, finely sliced or chopped
Instructions
- Heat and sear prawns: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half the prawns and sear for about 45 seconds on each side until golden. Remove cooked prawns to a bowl. Repeat with remaining prawns.
- Reduce heat and prepare sauce base: Remove skillet from heat briefly to cool slightly, then reduce heat to medium. Return skillet to stove and heat toasted sesame oil.
- Sauté aromatics: Add finely minced garlic, grated ginger, and chilli flakes to the skillet. Cook until garlic turns golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add liquids and simmer sauce: Pour in water, then add Sriracha, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well, increase heat to medium-high, and let simmer for about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens into a thin syrup consistency.
- Toss prawns in sauce: Return the seared prawns to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes more until the sauce reduces further and clings nicely to the prawns.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and red chillies if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, allowing the flavorful sauce to soak into the side dish.
Notes
- Adjust spiciness by modifying the amount of chilli flakes rather than the Sriracha to keep the right flavor balance from the vinegar in the sauce.
- For a non-spicy version, omit the chilli flakes and Sriracha, and substitute with 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp rice or cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or Mirin, reducing sugar slightly.
- If using frozen prawns, thaw completely and pat dry to remove excess water before cooking.
- Toasted sesame oil has a rich, nutty flavor that is ideal for this dish but untoasted sesame oil can be used for a milder taste.
- Chilli flakes can be replaced by minced chilli or chilli paste, but add these after garlic to avoid splattering during sautéing.
- Look for prawns curling into a loose “C” shape to indicate perfect cooking; avoid overcooking which causes a rubbery texture.
- Serving suggestion: Enjoy with steamed jasmine rice, cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal, or a refreshing side salad to balance the heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Asian prawns, chilli garlic prawns, spicy shrimp, garlic shrimp, Asian seafood recipe, quick prawn recipe, stir-fry prawns, Sriracha prawns
