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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat a spacious iron skillet over medium heat, coating the surface with extra-virgin olive oil to create a luxurious cooking foundation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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