Serves: 2–4
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
🌿 Ingredients
Shrimp
500 g large shrimp, peeled + deveined (tails on or off)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Garlic Butter Sauce
4 tablespoons butter
5–6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon chili flakes (or more for spicy)
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of ½ lemon (optional but adds amazing flavor)
½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup chicken broth or water (optional for extra sauce)
For Garnish
Lemon slices
Extra parsley
Extra chili flakes
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
Season lightly with:
Salt
Black pepper
A small drizzle of olive oil
Dry shrimp get a better sear and cook evenly.
- Sear the shrimp
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer — don’t overcrowd.
- Cook for 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and slightly golden.
Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
Important: Do not overcook the shrimp — they become rubbery. Shrimp should be just cooked and juicy.
- Make the garlic butter sauce
In the same pan:
- Lower heat to medium.
- Add butter and let it melt.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30–40 seconds (don’t brown it).
- Add:
Chili flakes
Parsley
Paprika
Oregano
Lemon juice
Lemon zest
Chicken broth (optional)
Stir the sauce for 1 minute until everything combines.
- Coat the shrimp
Return the shrimp to the pan.
Toss to coat completely in the buttery lemon sauce.
Cook for 1 more minute to absorb flavor.
- Garnish & serve
Transfer the shrimp to a serving bowl like in your photo.
Top with:
Fresh parsley
Lemon slices
A sprinkle of chili flakes
Serve immediately — shrimp is best eaten hot and fresh.
🍽 What to Serve With It
This dish pairs perfectly with:
Garlic bread
Rice (white, jasmine, or fried rice)
Pasta (especially linguine or angel hair)
Roasted potatoes
Steamed vegetables
Couscous or quinoa
🌟 Tips for Perfect Shrimp
✔ Don’t overcook
Shrimp cooks extremely fast. Remove from heat as soon as they turn pink.
✔ Use fresh lemon
Bottled lemon juice is sour but lacks the aroma. Fresh lemons give that bright flavor like in the photo.
✔ Add butter at low heat
Burned butter makes the sauce bitter.
✔ Leave the tails on (optional)
Makes the dish prettier and more flavorful.
🔥 Want It Spicy?
Add:
Extra chili flakes
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
A dash of hot sauce
🧄 Variations
Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Add ½ cup heavy cream at the end and simmer 2 minutes.
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Add 1 tablespoon honey to the sauce.
Moroccan Style
Add cumin + coriander + paprika.
Italian Style
Add basil, rosemary, and a splash of white wine.