Zesty Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Scampi Recipe That Dazzles Guests

Sizzling seafood lovers rejoice as this lemon-garlic shrimp scampi dances with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.

Tender shrimp swim in a luxurious butter sauce that whispers of garlic and bright citrus notes.

Each succulent bite promises a delightful culinary adventure straight from coastal kitchens.

White wine adds depth and complexity to this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Silky strands of pasta provide the perfect canvas for these perfectly seasoned shrimp.

Crisp parsley scattered on top brings a fresh, herbaceous finish that elevates every forkful.

Prepare to savor a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in mere minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Elegant Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi

• Large Raw Shrimp: Select plump, fresh shrimp with a sweet ocean aroma, ensuring they're cleaned and deveined for a tender, succulent texture.

• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright citrus components that add zesty tang and incredible freshness to the dish.
• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic depth and classic Italian scampi character.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends Mediterranean herbs for complex, well-rounded flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle, warming heat that complements seafood perfectly.
• Capers: Deliver briny, tangy punch with delightful salty undertones.

• Salted Butter, Olive Oil: Create luxurious, silky sauce base with rich, golden undertones.
• Chicken Broth: Adds subtle depth and helps create beautiful sauce consistency.
• Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate and balance overall dish flavor.
• Fresh Basil: Provides bright, herbaceous finish with elegant green notes.

Tools for Preparing Shrimp Scampi with Lemon and Garlic

• Large skillet: Perfect for creating those delicious golden-brown shrimp and building a rich, flavorful sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for stirring and flipping shrimp without damaging their delicate texture.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately season your shrimp with just the right amount of spices.
• Cutting board: Great for prepping garlic and chopping fresh basil and lemon zest.
• Sharp knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping herbs with precision.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending butter smoothly into the sauce and creating a silky finish.
• Plate: Used for temporarily holding cooked shrimp and serving the final dish.

Steps to Cook Elegant Shrimp Scampi

• Skillet Preparation

Warm up a spacious cooking pan over medium heat, creating the perfect stage for our seafood performance.

• Shrimp Introduction

Nestle the shrimp in a single layer, blessing them with a sprinkle of zesty seasonings that will make their flavor dance.

• Shrimp Transformation

Watch the shrimp turn from translucent to a beautiful pink, indicating they’re perfectly cooked and ready to shine.

• Flavor Foundation

Create a magical liquid base by combining garlic, bright citrus, and savory broth that will elevate the entire dish.

• Sauce Harmony

Swirl in creamy butter, letting it melt and blend with the pan juices, creating a silky smooth sauce that hugs each shrimp.

• Final Symphony

Reunite the shrimp with the luxurious sauce, allowing capers to add their briny whisper to the culinary composition.

• Elegant Presentation

Scatter fresh herbs and a kiss of lemon zest across the dish, transforming a simple meal into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Flavor Tips for Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi

• Choose large or jumbo shrimp for the most succulent texture, ensuring they're deveined and peeled to save prep time and enhance the eating experience.
• Replace red pepper flakes with cayenne or hot sauce for a bolder kick, or dial down the heat for milder palates by reducing the amount of spicy ingredients.
• Transform this recipe by substituting shrimp with chicken, scallops, or white fish to create exciting new flavor profiles while keeping the core sauce technique intact.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, or dill instead of basil to introduce unexpected layers of aromatic complexity to the dish.
• Enhance the sauce by replacing chicken broth with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for a more sophisticated and depth-filled flavor foundation.

How to Serve Elegant Shrimp Scampi Dishes

• Pasta Paradise: Toss the shrimp scampi over a bed of linguine or angel hair pasta for a classic Italian-inspired meal that'll make your taste buds dance with joy.
• Salad Companion: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, buttery sauce and add a fresh crunch to your plate.
• Bread Dipping Delight: Grab some crusty French bread or garlic toast to soak up every last drop of that incredible lemon-garlic sauce – it's too good to waste a single drop.
• Mediterranean Medley: Pair with a simple Greek-style cucumber salad or roasted vegetables to create a Mediterranean-inspired spread that'll transport you straight to the coastal shores.

Storing Shrimp Scampi with Garlic and Lemon Sauce

• Smart Meal Prep: Cook extra shrimp for quick lunch salads or wrap fillings during the week. Separate portions before adding sauce to maintain freshness and texture.
• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Consume refrigerated portions within 1-2 days for optimal taste and food safety.
• Freezing Hack: Freeze sauce and shrimp separately to prevent soggy textures. Place in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Use within 2-3 weeks for best quality.
• Reheating Master Trick: Gently warm leftover shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent rubbery shrimp and maintain delicate flavors.

Zesty Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Lemon-garlic shrimp scampi delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with zesty complexity. Delicate shrimp swimming in buttery white wine sauce promise a restaurant-quality meal home cooks can easily master.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) shrimp, large, raw, peeled, deveined, tails off
• 3 tbsps (45 g) butter, salted
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth, low sodium
• ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) lemon zest
• ½ cup (120 ml) basil, fresh, chopped
• 3 tbsps (45 g) capers
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Skillet Preparation: Heat a spacious iron skillet over medium heat, coating the surface with extra-virgin olive oil to create a luxurious cooking foundation.
2. Shrimp Searing: Arrange shrimp in a single layer, seasoning generously with Italian herb blend, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until they transform to a pinkish-golden hue with delicately curled edges.
3. Sauce Creation: Remove shrimp and use the same skillet to develop a fragrant sauce. Introduce minced fresh garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom. Deglaze with lemon juice and chicken broth, meticulously scraping the skillet’s caramelized remnants.
4. Sauce Refinement: Reduce liquid for 2-3 minutes, concentrating flavors. Remove from heat and whisk in cold unsalted butter until the sauce reaches a silky, emulsified consistency.
5. Final Assembly: Reintroduce sautéed shrimp and capers, coating them thoroughly in the luminous sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves, delicate lemon zest, and an optional citrus splash to elevate the dish’s brightness.

Notes

• Quick Shrimp Cooking: Cook shrimp precisely 2-3 minutes per side to prevent rubbery texture and maintain tender, succulent seafood.
• Skillet Selection Matters: Use cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and superior flavor development.
• Butter Emulsification Technique: Remove pan from heat before adding cold butter to create smooth, silky sauce without breaking or separating.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat throughout cooking to prevent burning garlic and achieve balanced flavor profile without scorching ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg