Description
A decadent yet simple one-pan meal, this Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is perfect for busy weeknights. It features seared shrimp tossed in a rich and luscious sauce made from butter, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan. This restaurant-quality dish comes together in under 20 minutes with minimal cleanup, making it a go-to for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once sizzling, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly
- Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Continue to whisk gently until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Toss to coat the shrimp in the sauce and let it warm through for about a minute. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed
Notes
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. It’s better to slightly undercook them initially as they will cook more when returned to the sauce.
Use Fresh, Quality Ingredients: Use real butter, fresh garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
Pat the Shrimp Dry: Drying the shrimp ensures they sear rather than steam, creating more flavor.
Scrape the Pan: The browned bits (fond) left after searing the shrimp add incredible depth to the sauce when you deglaze with broth.
Variations: Add fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or more red pepper flakes for heat. This sauce also works well with chicken, scallops, or Italian sausage.
Dairy-Free Option: Use high-quality olive oil, full-fat canned coconut cream, and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 310 mg