INTRODUCTION
Are you looking for a quick and delicious meal that will impress your family or friends? Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is just the right recipe for you. This dish combines tender shrimp, rich cream, and flavorful spices, all served over fluffy rice. It’s simple to make but feels special, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Follow along as we explore how to create this easy shrimp and rice recipe.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is a favorite for many reasons. First, it takes only about 30 minutes to prepare and cook, making it ideal for busy evenings. Second, it uses ingredients that are easy to find and typically already in your kitchen. Third, the flavors are outstanding. The combination of garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese creates a sauce that is both creamy and savory. Lastly, the shrimp is cooked to perfection, providing a delightful texture. Whether you’re a novice cook or a kitchen pro, this dish is sure to please.
HOW TO MAKE Easy Shrimp And Rice Recipes: Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Fast
Making Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is straightforward. With just a few steps, you will have a meal that looks and tastes fancy but requires minimal effort. The steps below will guide you through the process from start to finish.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Before you begin cooking, make sure you have the following equipment:
- Medium saucepan
- Large skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Serving spoons
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 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
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water or chicken broth, salt, and butter. Bring this mix to a boil over high heat. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes. The rice should be tender, and the liquid will be absorbed. When it’s done, remove it from the heat and leave it covered for a few minutes.
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Prepare the Shrimp: While the rice is cooking, season the shrimp. In a bowl, sprinkle salt, pepper, and paprika over the shrimp. Toss to coat them evenly.
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Cook the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded in the pan. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.
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Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
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Add Cream and Cheese: Next, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook this mixture until the sauce thickens slightly, which should take about 3–5 minutes.
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Finish the Dish: Add the lemon juice and red pepper flakes (if you are using them). Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the shrimp in the sauce. Heat through for just a minute.
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Serve: To serve, place a scoop of warm rice on each plate and top it with the creamy garlic butter shrimp. If you like, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
HOW TO SERVE Easy Shrimp And Rice Recipes: Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Fast
Serving your Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp is simple. Serve the shrimp over the rice you prepared, allowing the creamy sauce to soak into the fluffy grains. You might want to have some extra parsley on the side for garnish. This dish pairs well with a slice of lemon, which can add a fresh burst of flavor when squeezed over the top before eating. A light salad or steamed vegetables make excellent side dishes to complement this meal.
STORAGE & FREEZING: Easy Shrimp And Rice Recipes: Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Fast
If you have leftovers of this delicious dish, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When reheating, it is best to use a skillet over low heat to gently warm it up without overcooking the shrimp.
For longer storage, you can freeze the shrimp and sauce (but not the rice) in a freezer-safe container. It will last for about 1 month. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it in a skillet. Prepare fresh rice to serve with it.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
There are several ways to enjoy Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp beyond the typical rice serving. You can also serve it over:
- Pasta: Toss the shrimp and sauce with your favorite noodles for a comforting pasta dish.
- Mashed Potatoes: Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes for a rich and hearty meal.
- Quinoa: For a healthy twist, serve the shrimp over fluffy quinoa.
- Zucchini Noodles: For a low-carb option, try it over spiralized zucchini.
VARIATIONS
Feel free to adjust this recipe to fit your taste. Here are some variations you can try:
- Spice Levels: Adjust the red pepper flakes to make it spicier or omit them altogether for a milder dish.
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate fresh vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or peas for extra color and nutrition.
- Different Proteins: You could replace the shrimp with chicken breast or use a mix of both for a surf and turf feel.
- Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like basil or cilantro for a unique flavor profile.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, frozen shrimp works well. Just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking. -
What kind of rice should I use?
Long-grain white rice is best for this recipe, but you can also use jasmine or basmati if you prefer. -
Is there a dairy-free option for the sauce?
Yes! You can use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version. -
How do I tell if shrimp is cooked?
Shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Easy Shrimp And Rice Recipes: Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Fast
To save time on a busy evening, you can prep some ingredients in advance. Peel and devein the shrimp the night before and store them in the refrigerator. You can also mince the garlic ahead of time and measure out your spices. If you plan to use any vegetables, chop them in the morning so they’re ready to cook. Having these ingredients ready will make mealtime much faster, allowing you to whip up this delicious dish with ease.
This easy recipe is a winner for any occasion, offering a delightful meal that comes together quickly. Enjoy your cooking and the great flavors of Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp!
Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water or chicken broth, salt, and butter. Bring this mix to a boil over high heat. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes. The rice should be tender, and the liquid will be absorbed. When it's done, remove it from the heat and leave it covered for a few minutes.
- While the rice is cooking, season the shrimp. In a bowl, sprinkle salt, pepper, and paprika over the shrimp. Toss to coat them evenly.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded in the pan. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Next, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook this mixture until the sauce thickens slightly, which should take about 3–5 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice and red pepper flakes (if you are using them). Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the shrimp in the sauce. Heat through for just a minute.
- To serve, place a scoop of warm rice on each plate and top it with the creamy garlic butter shrimp. If you like, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.