Description
This Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe features succulent shrimp sautéed to perfection in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a bright and flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer. The combination of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and parsley enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp, making it a delightful and easy seafood recipe everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 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 both sides to enhance their natural flavors before cooking.
- 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, and sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turn pink and are opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and bring it to a simmer while scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any flavorful browned bits.
- Add Lemon and Butter: Stir in the juice and zest of one lemon along with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Continue stirring until the butter has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them gently in the lemon garlic sauce to coat. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat the shrimp through and meld the flavors.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp just before serving to add a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor impact.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference or omit for mild flavor.
- Serve this dish over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Peeling and deveining shrimp beforehand saves time and makes eating easier.
- Ensure not to overcook shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- For a gluten-free option, verify the chicken broth is gluten-free.
