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Creamy garlic butter shrimp served with rice in a delicious dish

Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp

This creamy garlic butter shrimp recipe is a quick, flavorful dish that brings family together around the dinner table in just 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Use high-quality butter for better flavor
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic enhances the flavor profile
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust for spice preference
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika Adds a distinct smoky flavor
  • 0.25 cup chicken broth or white wine Adds depth; choose low-sodium if concerned
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream For that rich, creamy texture
  • Salt and pepper To taste
For the Shrimp
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined Ensure they’re fresh or thawed properly
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing
  • Lemon wedges For serving
For the Rice
  • 1 cup long-grain rice Or your choice of rice; jasmine or basmati work well
  • 2 cups water Use broth for added flavor
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt

Method
 

Cook the Rice
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of rice and ½ teaspoon of salt.
  2. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until all water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
Prepare the Shrimp
  1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
  3. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Creamy Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add 4 tablespoons of butter. Let it melt before adding the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add red pepper flakes and smoked paprika, stirring constantly for an additional minute.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth or white wine, scraping any bits from the bottom of the skillet, and let it cook down for 2-3 minutes.
Combine Everything
  1. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, allowing it to simmer for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  2. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and coat them in the sauce. Allow them to warm up for another minute.
Serve
  1. Fluff the rice with a fork and plate it up. Top with the creamy garlic butter shrimp and drizzle sauce generously over everything.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges for that extra zing!

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and consider storage advice. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth.