Name: Chili Stir-Fry Prawns
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2–3 servings
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 300g prawns, peeled and deveined; 1 red chili, chopped (adjust to taste); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 onion, sliced; 1/2 red or green bell pepper, sliced; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon cooking oil; Salt and pepper to taste; Optional: spring onions or coriander for garnish

Ever made a dish that you always see in restaurants or other cooks making and it seems complicated? For me it has always been seafood. Specifically all other sea foods apart from Tilapia that we cook all the time at home. First ever prawn recipe and I'm so excited. You should see me do a happy dance. The weather has done a complete 360 turn and its getting colder by the day. I wanted something spicy and I happened to have some prawns that were lying around, just taunting me, come on, cook me, cook me pleeeze! I just had to. The best part about cooking prawns is that it takes very few minutes and they're done. A perfect dish that will impress your family and friends when you come together

INGREDIENTS

1 Pack Prawns (Cleaned & Deveined)

1/2 Red Bell Pepper

1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper

1/2 Green Bell Pepper

3 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

1 Teaspoom Chili Flakes

1 Cup Onion

1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

METHOD

Add chopped onions to pan with vegetable oil. Fry until lightly golden

Add chopped red, yellow and green bell peppers

Start frying the bell peppers

Add a tablespoon ground cloves and fry until veggies softened but crunchy

Add salt in the mixture, stir

Add in the fresh prawns

Toss the mixture well

Turn heat to high, stir fry the mixture until all moisture dissolves, around 2 minutes

Add in chili flakes, stir one second, take off the heat

Serve immediately

These prawns are delicious served as starters or main dish with an accompaniment

Garnish with cilantro for a vibrant color and fresh taste

Best prawns recipe ever!

There were no left overs!

CHILI STIR FRY PRAWNS

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients

1 Pack Prawns
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Green Bell Pepper
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper
3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Teaspoon Chili flakes
1 Cup Onion
1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

Cooking Directions

Add chopped onions to pan with vegetable oil. Fry until lightly golden. Add chopped red, yellow and green bell peppers start frying the bell peppers. Add a tablespoon ground cloves and fry until veggies softened but crunchy. Add salt in the mixture, stir
Add in the fresh prawns toss the mixture well. Turn heat to high, stir fry the mixture until all moisture dissolves, around 2 minutes. Add in chili flakes, stir one second, and take off the heat
Serve immediately. Garnish with cilantro for a vibrant color and fresh taste

Chili Stir Fry Prawns – FAQs

1. What kind of prawns should I use?

Use large fresh or frozen prawns (shrimp), peeled and deveined. Tail-on or tail-off is your choice. Fresh prawns give better texture, but frozen works well too.

2. How spicy is this dish?

It’s medium to hot, depending on the chili used. You can adjust heat with:

Fresh green or red chilies
Chili flakes or chili paste
Sweet chili sauce for a milder, sweet-spicy balance

3. Do I need to marinate the prawns?

Briefly marinate (10–15 mins) with:

Garlic
Ginger
Chili sauce or flakes
Lime juice or vinegar
This boosts flavor without over-softening the prawns.

4. How do I cook them without overcooking?

Cook prawns on high heat
Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes per side
Remove from heat once they turn pink and slightly curled

5. What do I serve this with?

Pairs well with:

Steamed rice or fried rice
Noodles
Stir-fried veggies or a light salad

Nutrition Card – Approx. per serving (1/2 recipe)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)	Notes
Calories	200–250 kcal	—	Lean protein, low fat
Protein	20–25 g	40–50%	From prawns
Carbohydrates	5–10 g	2–4%	Mainly from sauce/veggies
Sugars	2–4 g	—	From onions or sweet chili sauce
Fat	8–12 g	12–18%	From stir-frying oil
Fiber	1–2 g	4–8%	Can increase with added veggies
Sodium	Moderate–High	Adjust sauce/salt usage

Dietary Compatibility & Tips

Diet Type	Compatible?	Suggestions
Gluten-Free	✅ With swaps	Use tamari or GF soy sauce
Low-Carb/Keto	✅ Yes	Great option—just avoid sugary sauces
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	Naturally dairy-free
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	No nuts involved
Paleo	✅ With clean sauce	Use coconut aminos and fresh chilies
Vegan	❌ No	Use tofu or mushrooms instead of prawns

Optional Add-Ins:

Sliced bell peppers or snow peas for crunch
Scallions or coriander for garnish
A squeeze of fresh lime or drizzle of sesame oil at the end

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.

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