Camarones al Chile Colorado (Prawns in Red Chilli Sauce)
Plump prawns tossed in a garlicky guajillo sauce for a fast, bold dinner served over fresh lime and coriander rice.
Made with Chile colorado sauce and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.17 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Warm your green rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water, or in the microwave, until steaming hot.
4 min - 2
Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant but not brown.
0 min 30 s - 3
Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Pour in your ready made chile colorado sauce (see the base recipe) and simmer for 5 minutes.
8 min - 4
Add the prawns and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until pink all over and firm. Do not overcook or they turn rubbery.
4 min - 5
Squeeze in the lime juice, scatter with coriander and spoon over the rice with extra lime wedges.
Tips
- Pat the prawns dry first so they do not water down the sauce.
- Add the prawns last. They need only a few minutes in the hot sauce.
- If using frozen prawns, defrost them fully in the fridge overnight and dry well.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Cool leftovers within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for 1 day. Reheat only once until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use cooked prawns?
Yes. Add them for just 1 to 2 minutes at the end so they heat through without turning tough.
Is this dish spicy?
Medium. The sauce is earthy more than fiery. Add a sliced fresh chilli if you want more kick.
Can I use fish instead?
Yes. Use chunks of firm white fish such as cod or hake and cook them for 5 minutes in the sauce.
More made with chile colorado sauce
Albondigas en Chile Colorado (Meatballs in Red Chilli Sauce)
NFTacos Dorados de Papa con Chile Colorado (Crispy Potato Tacos)
DFEFNFSopa Seca de Fideo con Chile Colorado (Dry Fideo Noodles)
DFEFNFCostillas de Cerdo en Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Pork Ribs)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.