Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Over Rice Recipe
This Easy Shrimp and Rice recipe features succulent shrimp cooked in a creamy garlic butter sauce served over fluffy long-grain white rice. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent dinner, the shrimp are seasoned and seared before being simmered in a luscious sauce made with garlic, butter, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of lemon. The tender rice cooked separately with butter and broth complements the rich shrimp to create a comforting and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Cook the rice: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rice, 2 cups water or chicken broth, salt, and 1 tbsp butter. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered to steam.
- Season the shrimp: Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp paprika evenly on all sides.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Make the sauce: Pour in ½ cup chicken broth, simmer for 2 minutes while scraping up browned bits from the skillet bottom. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, simmer gently for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish the dish: Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and ½ tsp red pepper flakes (if using) to the sauce. Return cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Heat through for another 1–2 minutes.
- Serve: Plate warm rice and spoon creamy garlic butter shrimp over the top. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For more flavor, cook rice in chicken broth instead of water.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on desired spice level or omit for mild flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best sauce texture and taste.
- Shrimp cook quickly – avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger servings, adjust cooking times accordingly.
Keywords: easy shrimp recipes, shrimp and rice, creamy shrimp, quick dinner, garlic butter shrimp
