Do you ever get to the end of a long day and just stare into the fridge? The thought of cooking a complicated meal feels impossible. We all need a collection of reliable, Easy Dinner Recipes for moments just like that. And I’ve got a fantastic one for you today.
This shrimp scampi recipe is a lifesaver. It’s elegant enough for a special occasion but simple enough for any Tuesday. It delivers big on flavor without needing a ton of ingredients or time. It is one of my favorite Easy Weeknight Dinners.
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this recipe is a true kitchen hero. It’s one of those Quick Dinner Ideas that actually lives up to its name. You can have this entire meal on the table in about 20 minutes. It’s faster than ordering takeout!
The flavors are just so bright and comforting. Rich butter, zesty lemon, and savory garlic come together to create a sauce that is simply delicious. You’ll want to soak up every last drop with a piece of bread.
It is also incredibly versatile. You can serve it over pasta, rice, or even zucchini noodles for a lower carb option. This is one of those Dinner Ideas Recipes that you can easily adapt to what you have on hand.
Best of all, it’s beginner friendly. You don’t need any special skills or equipment to make a restaurant quality dish right in your own home. It’s a great way to build your confidence in the kitchen with Easy Dinner Recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen or fresh jumbo shrimp, thawed, deveined and shells removed
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup chicken stock
- ½ tbsp parsley, minced
- ½ lemon
- 8 oz linguine or rice, for serving
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Get Your Pan Ready
First things first, let’s get the skillet going. Grab a large skillet and place it over medium high heat. Add two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of butter. Let them heat up until the butter is melted and bubbly.
Step 2: Cook The Shrimp
Now for the star of the show. Add your thawed and deveined shrimp to the hot pan. You want to arrange them in a single layer if possible. Let them cook for one to two minutes on each side. This is one of the quickest parts of many Easy Dinner Recipes.
You’ll know they are ready when they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them. Overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery, and nobody wants that. Pull them from the pan and set them aside for a moment.
Step 3: Build That Flavorful Sauce
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can adjust the red pepper flakes based on how much heat you like. Give it a good stir for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant.
Next, pour in the chicken stock and add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This is what makes the sauce so vibrant. Let it all toss together and bring it to a simmer. You’ll want to let it cook for one to two minutes.
You will see the sauce start to thicken and reduce slightly. This concentrates all those wonderful flavors. This step is key for amazing Dinner Ideas Recipes.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Now it’s time to finish the dish. Stir in the remaining butter and the fresh parsley. Once the butter has melted completely, add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together so the shrimp gets fully coated in that beautiful sauce.
Your kitchen should be smelling incredible right about now. This is the moment where you realize how simple Easy Weeknight Dinners can be.
Step 5: Serve And Enjoy
And just like that, you’re done. Serve your delicious shrimp scampi immediately. It’s wonderful over a bed of linguine, but rice is also a great choice. Garnish with a little extra parsley if you feel like it.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. Just let the shrimp scampi cool down to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container.
It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you’re ready to eat it again, you can gently reheat it in a skillet over low heat. Adding a small splash of water or chicken stock can help bring the sauce back to life.
Tips
For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and lemon juice. The bottled kinds just don’t have the same punch. It makes a real difference in simple dishes like this one.
Feel free to add some vegetables. A handful of spinach or some chopped asparagus would be a great addition. Just toss them in the skillet for a few minutes before adding the shrimp back in. It’s a great way to round out your meal.
If you serve this with pasta, save a little bit of the pasta water. You can add a splash to the sauce to help it cling to the noodles beautifully. It’s a classic pasta making trick.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A truly wonderful dish that proves Easy Dinner Recipes can be exciting and full of flavor. This shrimp scampi is a fantastic recipe to have in your rotation for busy days.
It’s one of those Quick Dinner Ideas that the whole family can enjoy. I hope you give this recipe a try soon. It’s a simple way to bring a little bit of joy to your dinner table during a hectic week. Enjoy your meal!
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp For This Recipe?
Absolutely. Frozen shrimp works great here. Just make sure it is completely thawed before you start cooking. You can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or run it under cold water for a quicker option.
What Can I Serve With Shrimp Scampi Besides Pasta?
There are so many options. It is delicious with fluffy white rice, quinoa, or even zucchini noodles for a low carb meal. A side of steamed vegetables or a simple green salad also pairs very nicely with it.
How Can I Make This Dish Less Spicy?
That’s an easy fix. The heat in this recipe comes from the red pepper flakes. If you or your family are not fans of spice, you can simply reduce the amount or leave them out completely. The dish will still be very flavorful.
Flavorful Shrimp Scampi
This easy shrimp scampi recipe is a lifesaver, perfect for any weeknight or special occasion. It delivers big on bright, comforting flavor without needing a ton of ingredients or time.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grab a large Nonstick Granite Frying Pan and place it over medium high heat. Add two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of butter. Let them heat up until the butter is melted and bubbly.
- Add your thawed and deveined shrimp to the hot pan. Arrange them in a single layer if possible. Cook for one to two minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the Organic No-Chicken Broth and add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for one to two minutes until thickened slightly.
- Stir in the remaining butter and the fresh parsley. Once the butter has melted, add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the shrimp in sauce.
- Serve your delicious shrimp scampi immediately. It’s wonderful over a bed of linguine or rice. Garnish with a little extra parsley if you feel like it.
Notes
For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and lemon juice. The bottled kinds just don’t have the same punch. It makes a real difference in simple dishes like this one.
Feel free to add some vegetables. A handful of spinach or some chopped asparagus would be a great addition. Just toss them in the skillet for a few minutes before adding the shrimp back in. It’s a great way to round out your meal.
If you serve this with pasta, save a little bit of the pasta water. You can add a splash to the sauce to help it cling to the noodles beautifully. It’s a classic pasta making trick.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
