Creamy garlic shrimp is a simple yet elegant dish that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. With its luxurious flavors, quick preparation time, and versatile options, it’s the perfect meal for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it over pasta, rice, or vegetables, this dish is guaranteed to impress and satisfy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Rich and Savory Flavor: The creamy garlic sauce is the star of the show. Infused with aromatic garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, it adds depth and richness to the shrimp, making each bite incredibly satisfying.

Quick and Easy: One of the best things about this creamy garlic shrimp recipe is how quickly it comes together. With just a few simple ingredients and around 20 minutes of cooking time, you’ll have a dish that tastes like it took hours to prepare.

Versatile and Customizable: This dish is highly versatile. While it’s perfect as a main course, you can easily customize it to suit your needs. Pair it with pasta, rice, or vegetables, or serve it alongside a side salad or crispy bread for an even more well-rounded meal.

Impressive Yet Simple: Despite being easy to make, creamy garlic shrimp looks and tastes impressive. The glossy, rich sauce, paired with plump, tender shrimp, is visually stunning.

Comforting Yet Light: While creamy dishes can sometimes feel heavy, the creamy garlic shrimp is surprisingly light. The use of fresh shrimp, paired with a light but creamy sauce, keeps the dish rich but not overwhelming, making it ideal for any time of year.

Ingredients

To make this creamy garlic shrimp, you’ll need the following ingredients

1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream

½ cup chicken broth
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp butter

Salt and pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Lemon zest (optional, for a refreshing touch)

Cooking Process

Prepare the Shrimp: Start by peeling and deveining your shrimp if they aren’t prepped yet. This step is essential for making sure your shrimp cook evenly and are easy to eat. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to ensure they sear properly in the pan.

Cook the Shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add them to the hot skillet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are pink, opaque, and slightly golden around the edges. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.

Prepare the Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter quickly. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan, allowing it to melt and coat the garlic. Once the butter is melted, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and ½ cup of chicken broth. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer.

Add the Parmesan: As the cream and broth simmer, stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese will melt into the sauce, creating a smooth, creamy texture. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 3-5 minutes, until it thickens slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or more chicken broth to loosen it.

Finish the Dish: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing them gently in the creamy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the shrimp are fully coated and heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired) to taste. If you like, add a little fresh lemon zest to brighten up the dish.

Serve: Once everything is combined, transfer the creamy garlic shrimp to a serving plate. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and, if you like, a light sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the sauce is still rich and creamy.

Variations

While the creamy garlic shrimp recipe is perfect as is, there are plenty of ways to make it your own:

Spicy Garlic Shrimp: If you love a bit of heat, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also add a few dashes of hot sauce for an extra kick.

Add Veggies: For a more well-rounded dish, consider adding sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms to the skillet along with the shrimp. These ingredients pair wonderfully with the creamy garlic sauce and add both flavor and texture.

Make It with Pasta: This creamy garlic shrimp is perfect when paired with pasta. Toss the shrimp and sauce with your favorite pasta, such as linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine, to make it a heartier meal.

Low-Carb Option: For a low-carb alternative, serve the creamy garlic shrimp over zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower rice.

How to Serve

Creamy garlic shrimp can be served in a variety of ways, making it an incredibly versatile dish:

With Pasta: Toss the shrimp and sauce with pasta for a luxurious meal. Linguine or spaghetti work particularly well with the creamy sauce, but feel free to use any type of pasta you prefer.
With Rice or Vegetables: Serve the shrimp over a bed of rice or sautéed vegetables for a light, flavorful dish. Cauliflower rice is a great low-carb option.
With Bread: Serve alongside some crusty garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce. The bread is perfect for mopping up every last drop of the rich sauce.

As an Appetizer: If you’re hosting a dinner party, creamy garlic shrimp also makes a fantastic appetizer. Serve it in small bowls or on skewers for easy sharing.