Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for any weeknight. Tender shrimp are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce and served over fluffy rice, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water or broth, salt, and butter. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered.
2. Step 2: Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6. Step 6: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 3–5 minutes.
7. Step 7: Add lemon juice, red pepper flakes (if using), and return shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat and heat through.
8. Step 8: Serve creamy garlic butter shrimp over warm rice. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Use chicken broth instead of water to cook the rice for extra flavor.
• Swap Parmesan for Pecorino Romano if you prefer a sharper cheese taste.
• To make it lighter, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.

Storage

Store leftover shrimp and rice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until warmed through to avoid overcooking the shrimp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp work well. Just thaw completely, pat dry, and proceed with cooking as directed for best results.

What can I serve instead of rice?

This creamy shrimp pairs nicely with pasta, quinoa, or steamed vegetables if you want a low-carb option.

Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 76 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe delivers a rich, flavorful dinner that’s quick and easy to prepare. Succulent shrimp are sautéed in a luscious garlic butter sauce enriched with Parmesan cheese and cream, then served over tender, buttery rice. The dish offers a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and zesty notes, ideal for a comforting weeknight meal or impressive dinner for guests.

• Author: Viktoria
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

For the Rice:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water or chicken broth, salt, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and keep covered to steam while preparing the shrimp.
2. Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry, then season them evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika to enhance flavor.
3. Sauté the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
4. Sauté Garlic in Butter: Reduce the skillet heat to medium, add the butter, and once melted, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
5. Deglaze with Chicken Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, using a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let this simmer for 2 minutes. This step adds depth to the sauce by incorporating the tasty browned residue.
6. Add Cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, creating a rich, velvety texture.
7. Finish the Sauce: Add lemon juice and red pepper flakes if using, then return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the shrimp evenly in the creamy garlic butter sauce and heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
8. Serve: Spoon the creamy garlic butter shrimp over the prepared rice. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve immediately for best taste.

Notes

• You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less thick and creamy.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
• Use chicken broth or water for cooking rice as per your preference; broth adds more flavor.
• Peeling and deveining shrimp beforehand saves prep time and improves eating experience.
• This dish can be paired with steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: creamy garlic butter shrimp, shrimp dinner, easy shrimp recipe, garlic butter sauce, Parmesan shrimp, quick weeknight meal