Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. Excess moisture will prevent proper browning and dilute your sauce.

What can I substitute for the wine?

Chicken broth makes an excellent non-alcoholic substitute. You could also use seafood stock for even more flavor, or even just increase the amount of lemon juice with a bit of water.

How spicy is this dish?

With the recommended amount of chili paste, it has a pleasant medium heat that most people enjoy. You can easily adjust by using less for a milder dish or more for serious spice lovers.

Can I make this dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with olive oil, and the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk (though this will add a slight coconut flavor). Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.

Spicy Garlic Shrimp Recipe

Name: Spicy Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 3 tablespoons salted butter (⅜ stick); 1 tablespoon garlic paste (such as Gourmet Garden); 1 tablespoon chili paste (such as Gourmet Garden); 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon); ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth as an alternative); ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature; 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese; Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

This Spicy Garlic Shrimp recipe is a seafood lover’s dream come true – ready in just 10 minutes flat! Succulent shrimp swimming in a rich, creamy sauce with the perfect balance of garlic, chili heat, and tangy lemon. It’s an impressively simple dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lightning Fast: From start to finish in 10 minutes – this might be the quickest impressive dinner you’ll ever make!
Flavor Explosion: The combination of garlic, chili, lemon, and cream creates an addictively delicious sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Versatile: Serve it as an appetizer, over pasta, with crusty bread, or alongside vegetables for a complete meal.
Simple Ingredients: Nothing complicated here – just straightforward ingredients that deliver maximum flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Shrimp: The star of the show! Look for medium to large raw shrimp that have been peeled and deveined to save time. Fresh is wonderful, but frozen (properly thawed) works perfectly too.
Butter: Creates the rich foundation for our sauce. The slight saltiness enhances all the other flavors.
Garlic Paste: Provides intense garlic flavor without the hassle of mincing. A brilliant shortcut that doesn’t sacrifice taste.
Chili Paste: Brings the perfect amount of heat without overwhelming the dish. Adjust to your spice preference.
Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and acidity that cuts through the richness of the cream and butter.
White Wine: Deglazes the pan and adds wonderful depth of flavor.
Heavy Cream: Creates a silky, luxurious sauce that clings beautifully to each shrimp.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, umami element while helping to thicken the sauce.
Fresh Parsley: Optional but recommended for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Swap Your Protein

Don’t have shrimp? Try this sauce with chicken breast pieces, scallops, or even firm white fish like cod or halibut.

Pasta Party

Transform this into a complete meal by tossing with 8oz of cooked linguine, fettuccine or angel hair pasta.

Veggies Welcome

Add sautéed bell peppers, spinach, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus to incorporate more vegetables.

Heat Level Adjustments

Dial the spice up with red pepper flakes or down by reducing the chili paste amount.

How to Make Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Season your shrimp generously with salt and pepper. This simple step builds a foundation of flavor.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Base

Melt butter in a large skillet over high heat, then add garlic paste and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Step 3: Add Heat and Shrimp

Stir in the chili paste and immediately add your seasoned shrimp, tossing to coat in the aromatic garlic-chili mixture.

Step 4: Cook the Shrimp

Let the shrimp cook for about 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and start to curl. Be careful not to overcook!

Step 5: Deglaze and Build the Sauce

Add lemon juice and white wine, letting them bubble vigorously for 30 seconds to concentrate the flavors.

Step 6: Finish the Sauce

Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and parsley, allowing everything to come together for about a minute. The sauce will thicken slightly as it combines.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook shrimp in batches if necessary. Overcrowding causes them to steam rather than sauté.
Room Temperature Cream: Using room temperature cream prevents the sauce from breaking when added to the hot pan.
Watch the Cook Time: Shrimp cook extremely quickly and can become rubbery if left too long. They’re done when they form a “C” shape (overcooked shrimp curl into an “O”).
Prep Everything First: This recipe moves quickly, so have all ingredients measured and ready before you start cooking.

How to Serve

As an Appetizer

Serve in a shallow bowl with crusty bread for dipping into that incredible sauce.

Main Course Options

Spoon over cooked pasta, rice, or creamy polenta for a complete meal. Linguine and angel hair pasta work particularly well.

Side Dish Pairings

A simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing provides a nice contrast to the rich, creamy shrimp.

Roasted asparagus or sautéed zucchini make excellent vegetable companions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight!

Freezing

This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the cream sauce and the texture of the shrimp can change, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

Gently reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave at 50% power, stopping to stir every 30 seconds.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. Excess moisture will prevent proper browning and dilute your sauce.
What can I substitute for the wine?

Chicken broth makes an excellent non-alcoholic substitute. You could also use seafood stock for even more flavor, or even just increase the amount of lemon juice with a bit of water.
How spicy is this dish?

With the recommended amount of chili paste, it has a pleasant medium heat that most people enjoy. You can easily adjust by using less for a milder dish or more for serious spice lovers.
Can I make this dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with olive oil, and the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk (though this will add a slight coconut flavor). Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Garlic Shrimp recipe proves that incredible flavor doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. With its perfect balance of creaminess, spice, and zesty brightness, it’s a dish that feels special enough for company but simple enough for a Tuesday night. Give it a try next time you want to impress without the stress!