Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe Easy 15 Minute Dinner Idea
A quick and easy shrimp scampi recipe ready in just 15 minutes, featuring a buttery garlic sauce with fresh lemon and a hint of white wine or broth. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of half a lemon
- 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 8 ounces cooked pasta or crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the shrimp to ensure proper searing. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and oil shimmers, about 2 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add shrimp in a single layer, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden.
- Flip shrimp and pour in white wine or chicken broth. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest, then add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir gently to melt butter and create a silky sauce.
- Toss in chopped parsley, stir to combine, and adjust seasoning with salt or more lemon if desired.
- Serve immediately over cooked pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper searing. Pat shrimp dry before cooking to avoid steaming. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Watch cooking times closely to prevent rubbery shrimp. Add lemon juice at the end to preserve brightness. For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream near the end. Leftovers keep up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 po
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, 15 minute meal, seafood, weeknight dinner