Garlicky Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Sometimes, the best shrimp scampi doesn't require a bed of noodles to make it great. In this case, we'll allow the shrimp to do the talking all on its own. This recipe includes instructions on how to make the ever-popular shrimp scampi, which people serve at restaurants around the globe. The recipe is packed to the brim with flavor thanks to the garlic, chili flakes, and white wine base. Add a squeeze of lemon and some fresh herbs at the very end, and this dish is bound to impress even the pickiest of palates.

Recipe developer Jennine Rye came up with this delicious shrimp scampi recipe that stands out above the rest. "My favorite thing about this recipe is how a few simple ingredients can come together so quickly to make such a flavorful and impressive dish. It only takes a few minutes to throw together and can be eaten on its own or added to spaghetti to make a full dinner, brilliant," she raves.

Rye also shares that this recipe has become a staple in her repertoire. "I do recall making it for the first time in my early 20s and realizing how simple it was to make," she explains. "I think I spent about three months basically living off shrimp scampi after that!"

The list of ingredients for this recipe is pretty simple. Start with some olive oil and butter to help cook the shrimp. To add flavor, you will need garlic and chili flakes. The remaining ingredients include salt and pepper, white wine, lemon juice, and chopped parsley or coriander.

For this recipe, you will need a medium- to large-sized frying pan. Place the pan on your stove and add the butter and oil. Turn the heat to medium-high and let the butter and oil get nice and hot.

Usually, recipes call for either butter or oil for this step, but Rye explains why she opts to use both in this case. "Adding oil to the pan alongside butter increases the smoke point, and the butter won't burn so quickly, meaning that you get to enjoy that delicious sweet buttery flavor in the dish," she explains. "Olive oil is great for cooking but doesn't have the same flavor base that butter does, so combining the two means you get the flavor of the butter and the frying ability of the oil."

In this step, you will add two of the biggest flavor-makers in the dish — minced garlic and chili flakes. Cook the two ingredients with the butter and oil for a minute or two, until fragrant. Who needs a candle when you're cooking something that smells this good?

After you allow the garlic and chili flakes to cook together, add the shrimp to the pan, then sprinkle on the salt and pepper to taste. Cook on one side for about 2-3 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink. That's a good indicator that you can flip the shrimp. 

At this point, turn the shrimp over, and then add the wine to the pan. Allow it to cook with the remaining ingredients for another two minutes. "The most important thing with shrimp is that you want to make sure it is cooked through so it is safe to eat, but also you don't want to overcook it so that it becomes rubbery," Rye explains. "Luckily, it changes color as it cooks, so as long as you monitor the color change from grey to pink, you can be sure it is thoroughly cooked. As soon as they become pink all over, you ideally want to turn off the heat to ensure they are beautifully tender."

Once the wine reduces slightly, turn off the heat. Before you remove the ingredients from the pan, add the lemons juice and chopped fresh herbs. "This shrimp scampi is a beautiful blend of rich, creamy butter, bucketloads of garlic, the warmth and depth of wine, and the tang of lemon, along with the natural sweetness of the shrimp," Rye says of the flavor. "It also has a slight heat from the chili, which gives it that much more of a kick, and then the freshness of the herbs at the end."

The only thing left to do is dig in! This shrimp is excellent on its own or to accompany another dish. Rye also shares a few of her favorite serving suggestions. "This is great served simply with a glass of wine and a few slices of crusty, absorbent bread because you will want to soak up all those delicious juices as well as eating the shrimp," Rye shares. "It's also great served on top of spaghetti for a delicious and quick dinner or with a simple salad, potatoes, or green vegetables as a side. It's also a great addition to a tapas-style meal. So many great ways to eat this shrimp scampi!"

While this dish is best enjoyed right out of the pan, Rye provides reheating instructions. "Although it is possible to carefully reheat shrimp scampi either in the oven or microwave, the shrimp does have a tendency to quickly become rubbery, so it won't be as delicious the second time around," she shares. "Because it is so quick to make, I recommend making it fresh and making just enough so that you likely won't end up with leftovers!"