A No-Cook Sharing Platter for Easy Hosting

This is the sort of thing that looks impressive laid out on a table but takes barely any effort to pull together.

Sweet prawns are coated in a smoky chipotle prawn cocktail sauce, then piled over crisp tortilla chips with lettuce, avocado and sharp pickled chillies. It’s somewhere between retro prawn cocktail, loaded nachos and the kind of sharing food that disappears almost immediately.

Cold, crunchy, creamy and slightly spicy, it’s ideal for relaxed hosting, drinks with friends or the evenings when turning the oven on feels unnecessary.

And because everything comes together in minutes, it’s exactly the kind of low-effort food worth keeping in rotation.

Serves 2–4

You’ll Need

For the chipotle prawns

• 400g cooked small prawns, drained
• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp cool chile chipotle in adobo
• Juice of 1 lime

To assemble

• Cool Chile tortilla chips
• 1 small gem lettuce, shredded
• 1 avocado, diced
• Pickled chillies, sliced
• Lime wedges

To Make

• Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, chipotle in adobo and lime juice together until smooth.
• Add the prawns and toss gently until fully coated. If you have time, chill for 15–20 minutes before serving.
• Arrange the tortilla chips onto a large platter or board.
• Scatter over the shredded lettuce and diced avocado, then spoon over the chipotle prawns.
• Finish with sliced pickled chillies and extra lime wedges.

Serve immediately while everything is still crisp.

Why This Works

The sauce takes the familiar flavours of a classic prawn cocktail and gives them a smoky, slightly spicy edge from the chipotle.

The prawns stay light and fresh, while the avocado softens the heat and the pickled chillies bring enough sharpness to stop everything becoming too rich.

Then there’s the crunch from the tortilla chips underneath, which turns the whole thing into something far more satisfying than a standard prawn cocktail.

It’s messy in the best possible way.

Best Served With

Cold drinks, plenty of napkins and something fresh alongside.

A sharp margarita works particularly well here.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead?

You can prepare the prawn mixture ahead and keep it chilled, but assemble everything just before serving so the chips stay crisp.

Is chipotle very spicy?

Chipotle brings more smokiness than aggressive heat, though you can adjust the amount depending on preference.

What are the best prawns to use?

Small cooked prawns work best because they coat evenly in the sauce and are easier to scoop onto the chips.

Can I make this as individual portions?

Yes - serve in smaller bowls or plates for easier sharing at parties or dinner tables.