Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

Coastal memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up this creamy garlic shrimp that whispers tales of seaside dinners.

Salt-kissed aromas drift from my skillet, promising something extraordinary.

Buttery notes mingle with sharp garlic undertones, creating magic in moments.

Delicate seafood swirls against silky sauce, inviting pure comfort.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted bite.

Weeknight dinners deserve something spectacular like this quick marvel.

Savor every forkful and let deliciousness carry you away.

Garlic Shrimp That’s Rich Silky And Flavorful

Garlic Shrimp That’s Rich Silky And Flavorful
  • Whip Up Quick Seafood Delight: This creamy garlic shrimp recipe offers multiple exciting advantages for home cooks.
  • Speedy Weeknight Miracle: Prepare a gourmet meal in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy professionals seeking delicious dinner solutions without extensive cooking skills.
  • Flavor Explosion Guaranteed: Rich Parmesan, zesty garlic, and subtle red pepper flakes combine to create a restaurant-quality dish that will tantalize taste buds and impress dinner guests.
  • Versatile Serving Options: Easily adapt the recipe by serving over pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread, making it ideal for various meal preferences and dining scenarios.

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Elements

Main Ingredients:
  • Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood that becomes the star of the dish, best when fresh and deveined.
  • Butter, Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Creamy base that creates rich and luxurious sauce texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds deep savory flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
Seasoning and Aromatics:
  • Garlic: Provides intense, warm flavor foundation for the entire dish.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall taste.
  • Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that adds Mediterranean herbal notes.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Brings subtle heat and slight spiciness to the sauce.
Finishing Touches:
  • Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that cuts through richness and enhances seafood flavor.
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh, green color and light herbal freshness to the final dish.
  • Pasta, Rice, Crusty Bread: Optional serving bases to complement the creamy shrimp.

Steps to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Steps to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Step 1: Sizzle Succulent Shrimp

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat.

Gently place the shrimp into the pan and season with salt and pepper.

Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until they transform into a beautiful pink color.

Carefully transfer the cooked shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Garlic

In the same skillet, melt butter until it becomes golden and bubbly.

Add minced garlic and sauté until it releases its fragrant aroma, which takes about 1 minute.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the skillet and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Craft Luxurious Sauce

Reduce the heat to low and blend in:
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning
  • Red pepper flakes

Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth and velvety.

Step 5: Reunite Shrimp with Sauce

Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and gently toss them in the creamy sauce.

Let them simmer for an additional 2 minutes to absorb all the incredible flavors.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Brightness

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and sprinkle chopped parsley.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as you desire.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your creamy garlic shrimp over pasta, fluffy rice, or alongside crusty bread.

Dive into this restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

Garlic Shrimp Cooking Tips With Creamy Sauce

Garlic Shrimp Cooking Tips With Creamy Sauce
  • Use fresh garlic cloves and mince them finely for the most intense, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
  • Watch cooking time carefully and remove shrimp immediately when they turn pink to maintain tender, juicy texture and avoid rubbery consistency.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing for personalized spiciness.
  • Simmer sauce on low heat and stir constantly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, velvety texture that clings perfectly to shrimp.
  • Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version that doesn’t compromise on flavor and satisfaction.

Garlic Shrimp That Reheats With Butter Intact

  • Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled shrimp to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces for best quality.
  • Warm shrimp in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until just warmed through, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Microwaving can make shrimp tough and rubbery, so stovetop reheating works best for maintaining tender texture and flavor.

Flavor Matches For Garlic Shrimp

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy, garlicky flavors and cut through the richness of the shrimp dish.
  • Match with Garlic Bread: Create a perfect sidekick by toasting crusty bread brushed with garlic butter, ideal for soaking up the luxurious sauce and adding textural contrast.
  • Serve with Fresh Arugula Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a peppery, bright counterpoint to the creamy, indulgent shrimp preparation.
  • Complement with Roasted Asparagus: Prepare simple roasted asparagus with olive oil and sea salt to add a green vegetable that enhances the seafood’s delicate flavor profile.

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Ideas

  • Dairy-Free Option: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, lactose-free version.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap pasta or rice with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the rich, garlicky flavor.
  • Spicy Kick Variation: Increase red pepper flakes or add chopped jalapeños for extra heat, and incorporate smoked paprika for a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Style: Add diced tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese to transform the dish with a Greek-inspired twist, using oregano instead of Italian seasoning.

FAQs

  • Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure they sear properly and don’t release excess water.

  • What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?

You can substitute with a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme to achieve a similar flavor profile.

  • Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can reduce or omit them if you prefer a milder version. Adjust to your personal spice tolerance.

  • How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and curl slightly. Overcooking will make them tough, so cook just until they’re opaque and have a slight C-shape.

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Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent “creamy garlic shrimp” offers Mediterranean coastal charm without leaving home kitchens. Delicate seafood nestles in rich, velvety sauce, promising restaurant-quality elegance you can savor with minimal cooking effort.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Dairy and Fats:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for the seafood.
  2. Gently place shrimp into the hot pan, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until they transform into a delicate pink hue, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
  3. Using the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the kitchen within moments.
  4. Introduce chicken broth to the pan, carefully loosening any caramelized bits clinging to the bottom, which will enhance the sauce’s depth of flavor.
  5. Lower the heat and blend heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes into a luxurious, velvety mixture. Stir continuously until the sauce reaches a desirable consistency.
  6. Reintegrate the shrimp into the creamy concoction, ensuring each morsel is generously coated and heated through for an additional 2 minutes.
  7. Finish the dish with a bright splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, adjusting the seasoning to personal preference.
  8. Present the succulent shrimp immediately atop pasta, fluffy rice, or alongside crusty artisan bread for a complete, tantalizing meal.

Notes

  • Quickly sear shrimp on high heat to lock in juicy flavors and prevent rubbery texture.
  • Use fresh garlic for maximum aromatic intensity and depth of flavor in the sauce.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat level, making the dish mild or spicy based on personal preference.
  • Choose gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that keeps the dish diet-friendly.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 496
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 630mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 21g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 260mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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