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Savory Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

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A quick and easy 20-minute dinner featuring shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce brightened with fresh lemon and white wine. Perfect for busy weeknights or any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc), optional
  • Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 2 tablespoons), plus lemon zest for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. Mince garlic and chop parsley. If using pasta, cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Let the butter melt and bubble slightly.
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, stirring constantly.
  4. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and opaque around edges. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until shrimp curl into a loose ‘C’ shape.
  5. Pour in white wine and scrape up any bits stuck to the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, fresh lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. Add chopped parsley and stir to combine.
  8. If serving over pasta, toss cooked noodles into the skillet and mix well to coat. Otherwise, plate the shrimp and spoon sauce over the top. Garnish with lemon zest or extra parsley if desired.

Notes

Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture; watch for pink color and loose ‘C’ curl. Use both butter and olive oil to balance flavor and prevent burning. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish more than bottled juice. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add wine or pasta water. Substitute chicken broth or water with lemon if skipping wine.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp scampi, garlic butter shrimp, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe, weeknight meal, Italian seafood, lemon shrimp, garlic shrimp

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/savory-garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi-recipe-easy-20-minute-dinner-idea/