Your Weeknight Culinary Hero Awaits!
Remember those nights? You come home from a busy day, tired, and all you crave is something delicious, quick, healthy, and satisfying. Finding a meal that checks all these boxes can be a real struggle, right?
The Solution You’ve Been Dreaming Of. Here is your answer to those weeknight woes: the Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet. It’s simple, fast, and incredibly flavorful. Get ready to cook something exciting!
Why Make This Recipe
Speed Demon in the Kitchen
This dish cooks very fast. It is perfect for busy evenings.
Flavor Explosion in Every Bite
Enjoy the rich, savory, and aromatic mix of garlic, butter, and creamy sauce. The shrimp are succulent.
Effortlessly Elegant
This meal looks and tastes impressive enough for guests. Yet, it is simple enough for a casual dinner.
Versatility is Key
You can easily adapt this dish to different tastes or dietary needs.
One-Pan Wonder (Almost!)
Cleanup is minimal. This makes the dish even more appealing.
Ingredients of Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Fresh and Flavorful Shrimp
Use 1 pound large, raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp. You can use fresh or frozen (thawed).
- The Aromatic Foundation
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely diced (optional)
- Dairy Delights for Creaminess
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Buttery Goodness
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pantry Staples
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Directions of Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Prep Your Star Ingredient
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and pepper.
Sauté the Aromatics
Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not burn the garlic. (If using, add diced onion here and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.)
Sear the Shrimp to Perfection
Push the garlic (and onion) to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcook. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Build That Irresistible Creamy Sauce
Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the skillet. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
The Grand Reunion
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Gently toss the shrimp to coat them in the creamy sauce. Warm through for about 1-2 minutes.
Garnish and Serve!
Stir in fresh chopped parsley or chives just before serving.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Classic Pairings
Serve with pasta like linguine or fettuccine. You can also use white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Crusty bread is great for soaking up the amazing sauce.
Lighter Options
Enjoy with steamed vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus. A simple side salad also works well.
Elevated Experience
Serve over polenta or mashed potatoes for a more luxurious meal.
How to Store Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Store leftovers in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce has become too thick.
Tips to Make Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp!
Shrimp cooks very quickly. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery. Watch them closely.
Quality Ingredients Matter
Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Good quality Parmesan cheese also makes a big difference.
Pat Shrimp Dry
Patting the shrimp dry with paper towels helps them sear better. This creates more flavor.
Adjust Seasoning to Taste
Always taste your food. Adjust the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to your liking.
Variation
Add a Veggie Boost
Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or sliced mushrooms to the skillet for extra vegetables.
Heat It Up!
For more spice, add more red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce.
Herbaceous Wonders
Try fresh basil, thyme, or oregano for different herb flavors.
Zesty Twist
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens all the flavors beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before cooking for the best results.
How can I make this dairy-free?
You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. Use a plant-based Parmesan substitute as well.
My sauce is too thin/thick – how can I fix it?
If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of broth or cream at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
Classic Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet with a Zesty Finish
Equipment
- Paper towels
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound large, raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives chopped (for garnish)
- 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice (for a zesty twist)
Instructions
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat; sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, optionally adding diced onion to cook until soft.
- Push the garlic and onion to one side, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, then add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque before removing and setting aside.
- Pour broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits, then stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer; reduce heat, add grated Parmesan, and whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, gently tossing to coat them in the creamy sauce and warming through for about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in fresh chopped parsley or chives and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving, then serve immediately.