Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is a delicious and simple seafood dish that features juicy shrimp flavored with a buttery garlic sauce. It is a classic Italian-American dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. The dish is made by cooking large shrimp in a skillet with garlic butter. Then, the shrimp is removed from the skillet and set aside, and a sauce is made by adding white wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, and parsley to the skillet.
Finally, the cooked shrimp is tossed in the sauce until it is coated with this delicious garlic butter sauce. The dish can be served over linguine or your choice of pasta. This dish is not only easy to make, but it is also packed with flavor and is perfect for a special occasion or any weeknight dinner. It is a perfect combination of garlicky, buttery, and tangy flavors that make it a crowd-pleaser every time!
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Linguine or your choice of pasta, cooked according to package instructions
Directions:
1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the white wine and chicken stock. Cook for a few minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon juice, stirring to combine.
6. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, and toss in the sauce until the shrimp are coated.
7. Serve shrimp scampi over cooked linguine or pasta of your choice. Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy!
Notes:
- Don’t overcook the shrimp or they will become tough and rubbery.
- To make the dish spicy, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute the chicken stock with seafood stock if you prefer.
- For a creamier sauce, add 1/4 cup of heavy cream to the sauce before adding the shrimp.
Variations of Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi:
1. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi: This variation uses more lemon juice and lemon zest, along with garlic, butter, white wine, and fresh parsley for the sauce.
2. Creamy Garlic Shrimp Scampi: This variation uses a cream-based sauce made with heavy cream, butter, garlic, chicken stock, and white wine for added richness.
3. Spicy Garlic Shrimp Scampi: This variation adds extra red pepper flakes or chili flakes to add a spicy kick to the garlic butter sauce.
4. Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Vegetables: This variation adds sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms to add more flavor and nutrition.
5. Pesto Shrimp Scampi: This variation incorporates pesto into the garlic butter sauce for added complexity and depth of flavor.
6. Shrimp Scampi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This variation adds chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the garlic butter sauce along with white wine and chicken stock, for a sweet and tangy flavor.
7. Shrimp Scampi with Spinach: This variation adds chopped spinach to the garlic butter sauce to boost the nutritional content while adding color and flavor.
All of these variations are easy to make and are packed with flavor and nutrition in addition to the classic Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Healthy Benefits Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
1. Shrimp is a rich source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and boost brain function.
2. Garlic has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help boost the immune system and promote healthy digestion.
3. Butter contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and bones.
4. Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and improve skin health.
5. Parsley is a rich source of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
6. White wine contains antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
However, to make this dish healthier, consider using a smaller amount of butter or replacing it with olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute. Additionally, using whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles instead of regular pasta can increase the nutritional value of the dish.
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