Chile Scallops

Elevate your seafood game with this vibrant and flavorful Chile Scallops recipe, a perfect combination of tender, golden seared sea scallops bathed in a smoky, spicy butter sauce. Infused with ancho chile powder, smoked paprika, honey, and a fresh squeeze of lime, this dish strikes a beautiful balance of heat, sweetness, and tanginess. Finished with fragrant garlic and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, these restaurant-worthy scallops are ready in just 20 minutes and ideal for an elegant dinner or a quick weeknight meal. Serve with lime wedges for an extra zesty kick and pair with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables or crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the buttery chile sauce.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 large scallops sea scallops
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoons ancho chile powder
• 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoons honey
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 4 optional lime wedges

Directions

Step 1

Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel to remove surface moisture for optimal searing.

Step 2

Season the scallops evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.

Step 4

Once the oil is hot and shimmering, place the scallops in the pan in a single layer, leaving space between each to avoid crowding.

Step 5

Sear the scallops for 2-3 minutes on one side until a golden crust forms, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Step 6

In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the butter. Allow it to melt completely.

Step 7

Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but not browned.

Step 8

Stir in the ancho chile powder, smoked paprika, honey, and lime juice. Cook for 1 minute to combine the flavors.

Step 9

Return the scallops to the skillet and spoon the chile butter sauce over them. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to coat the scallops evenly with the sauce.

Step 10

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped cilantro.

Step 11

Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for an optional extra burst of citrus flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(507.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	915.9

Total Fat 55.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 209.6mg	0%
Sodium 3594.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 35.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g	0%
Total Sugars 7.1g
Protein 75.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 92.5mg	0%
Iron 3.0mg	0%
Potassium 1369.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.0%

Protein: 32.1%

Carbs: 14.9%