Description
This Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp sautéed in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or an elegant appetizer, it combines fresh garlic, tangy lemon, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes to create a deliciously vibrant meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper evenly on all sides to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, incorporating that flavor into the sauce.
- Add Lemon and Butter: Stir in the juice and zest of 1 lemon along with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Continue stirring until the butter has fully melted and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them gently to coat with the lemon garlic sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes so the shrimp can absorb the flavors and warm through.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp before serving to add a bright, fresh touch and a pop of color.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter version.
- Serve the shrimp over rice, pasta, or alongside crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Fresh lemon juice is preferred for the best bright flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
