Description
This Shrimp Scampi recipe offers a quick and flavorful seafood dish featuring jumbo shrimp sautéed in a garlic, lemon, and white wine sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it balances zesty citrus notes with a buttery richness perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp (frozen or fresh, shelled and deveined)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves (minced and divided)
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
Sauce and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken stock
- parsley (for garnish, chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Remove the shells and devein the shrimp if not already done. Pat them dry thoroughly to remove any moisture, which helps with proper sautéing.
- Season the Shrimp: In a bowl, season the shrimp evenly with salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and half of the minced garlic. This layers the shrimp with bold flavors.
- Heat the Skillet: Over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter together in a large skillet until melted and hot.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp and all their seasonings to the skillet. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking. Once done, remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Remaining Garlic: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the leftover minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the white wine or chicken stock along with the lemon juice. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Let the sauce simmer and reduce for 3 to 4 minutes until it becomes slightly thickened and velvety in texture.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly. Optionally, add cooked pasta to the pan and toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve: Plate the shrimp scampi and garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute white wine with chicken stock or vegetable broth if preferred or for a non-alcoholic option.
- For a gluten-free meal, serve with gluten-free pasta or skip pasta altogether.
- Be careful not to overcook shrimp as they can become tough and rubbery.
- Using fresh lemon zest and juice enhances the dish with bright citrus flavor.
- Add extra red pepper flakes for more heat if desired.
