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Quick Creamy Lemon Butter Shrimp Scampi

quick creamy lemon butter shrimp scampi - featured image
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A fast and elegant shrimp scampi recipe featuring a creamy lemon butter sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests. Ready in about 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Cooked pasta or crusty bread for serving (spaghetti or linguine recommended)

Instructions

  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Stir in lemon zest and juice, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Let sauce simmer gently for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Pour in heavy cream slowly while stirring. Let sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. If desired, add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
  6. Return shrimp to the pan and toss gently to coat and warm through for 1-2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve immediately over cooked pasta or with crusty bread.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure proper searing. Use a mix of butter and olive oil to prevent burning. Add lemon juice gradually and keep heat moderate to prevent cream from curdling. If sauce is too thick, loosen with a splash of pasta water or chicken broth. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, lemon butter shrimp, creamy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, seafood pasta

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/quick-creamy-lemon-butter-shrimp-scampi-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner/