Let me tell you about my go-to dish when I want something fancy-tasting but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen – this creamy garlic shrimp is my weeknight hero! I discovered this recipe when I was desperate to recreate that luxurious restaurant-style shrimp dish I’d had on vacation, and guess what? It’s embarrassingly easy to make at home. The magic happens in just one skillet – juicy shrimp swimming in a rich, garlicky cream sauce that coats every bite perfectly. My family thinks I’m some gourmet chef when I serve this, but between you and me, it comes together faster than ordering takeout!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Oh, where do I even start? This creamy garlic shrimp recipe has saved my dinner plans more times than I can count. Here’s why it’s absolutely magical:

Quick & easy: Ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for those “I forgot to plan dinner” nights
Restaurant-worthy: That rich, garlicky cream sauce tastes like something from a fancy seafood place
One-pan wonder: Less cleanup means more time to actually enjoy your meal
Crazy versatile: Serve over rice, pasta, or just grab some crusty bread to soak up all that amazing sauce

Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your new secret weapon for impressing guests (or just treating yourself!).

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Okay, let’s gather our cast of characters for this flavor party! I’ve learned through trial and error (and a few failed attempts) that quality ingredients make all the difference here. Here’s what you’ll need:

1½ lbs large shrimp – please get them peeled and deveined (unless you enjoy playing surgeon during dinner prep)
2 tbsp olive oil – our cooking workhorse
2 tbsp butter – because everything’s better with butter
4 cloves garlic, minced – fresh is best, but I won’t judge if you use pre-minced in a pinch
1 cup heavy cream – this is where the magic happens
½ cup chicken broth – adds depth to our creamy sauce
½ tsp paprika – for that subtle smoky warmth
½ tsp black pepper – freshly ground if you can
½ tsp salt – adjust to your taste later
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped – that pop of color and freshness at the end
2 cups cooked white rice – our trusty sidekick to soak up all that glorious sauce

Pro tip: Have everything prepped and ready before you start cooking – things move fast once that skillet gets hot!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry—you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this creamy garlic shrimp! Just grab these kitchen basics:

A trusty large skillet (mine’s well-loved and slightly battered, just like your favorite pair of jeans)
Measuring spoons – eyeballing cream measurements never ends well, trust me
A sturdy spatula for flipping those shrimp like a pro
A sharp knife for mincing garlic (or your pre-minced jar if we’re keeping it real)

That’s it—now let’s get cooking!

How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Alright, let’s dive into the good stuff! This creamy garlic shrimp comes together so fast you’ll barely have time to set the table. I’ve burned more than one batch learning these steps, so follow along for foolproof results every time.

Preparing the Shrimp

First things first – dry those shrimp! I learned the hard way that wet shrimp steam instead of sear. Pat them thoroughly with paper towels, then toss with salt, pepper, and paprika. Now, here’s my secret – don’t crowd the pan! Cook them in batches if needed to get that perfect sear. You want them just pink and curled – about 1-2 minutes per side. They’ll finish cooking in the sauce later, so don’t overdo it!

Making the Creamy Garlic Sauce

Now for the magic! Lower the heat to medium and melt that butter in the same skillet. When it’s foamy, add the garlic – oh, that smell! Cook just until fragrant (30 seconds max, or it’ll burn). Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up all those delicious browned bits – that’s flavor gold! Stir in the heavy cream and let it bubble gently for 3-4 minutes. You’ll see it thicken slightly – that’s when you know it’s ready. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon nicely. If it’s too thin, give it another minute. Too thick? A splash more broth will loosen it up.

Combining and Serving

Time for the grand finale! Return those beautiful shrimp to the skillet and gently toss them in that luscious creamy garlic sauce. Let them cozy up together for just 1-2 minutes to heat through. Sprinkle with fresh parsley – that pop of green makes it look fancy! Serve immediately over warm rice (or pasta, or with crusty bread… you get the idea). Watch everyone’s eyes light up when they take that first bite of creamy, garlicky goodness!

Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Shrimp

After making this creamy garlic shrimp more times than I can count (and yes, burning a batch or two), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks that’ll guarantee restaurant-quality results every time:

Fresh garlic is key: That jarred stuff just doesn’t pack the same punch—trust me, it’s worth the extra minute of mincing!
Shrimp cook fast: They’re done when they form a loose “C” shape—overcooked shrimp turn into rubbery little hockey pucks.
Taste as you go: Cream sauces can mute flavors, so adjust seasoning at the end—I usually add an extra pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon.
Patience with the sauce: Let it simmer until it nicely coats a spoon—rushing this step means a runny disappointment.
Prep ahead: Have everything measured and chopped before heating the pan—this dish moves at lightning speed once you start!

Follow these, and you’ll have creamy garlic shrimp that’ll make you feel like a five-star chef—no fancy training required!

Variations for Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Oh, the possibilities! This creamy garlic shrimp recipe is like your favorite little black dress—perfect as-is, but so fun to accessorize. Here are my favorite twists:

Green goodness: Toss in a handful of baby spinach during the last minute—it wilts beautifully and sneaks in some veggies!
Lighter option: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk—it’s dreamy with a hint of tropical flavor (my sister’s favorite version).
Protein swap: No shrimp? Chicken works amazingly—just cook it through before making the sauce.
Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce a nice kick—my husband’s must-have addition.

See? One recipe, endless delicious possibilities!

Serving Suggestions

Here’s the best part—this creamy garlic shrimp plays well with so many sides! My go-to is fluffy white rice to soak up every drop of that luscious sauce. But oh, a crusty baguette for dipping? Divine! For something lighter, try roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad. Honestly, I’ve even poured it over pasta when feeling extra indulgent—no judgment here!

Storing and Reheating Creamy Garlic Shrimp

Okay, confession time—I rarely have leftovers because we gobble this creamy garlic shrimp up so fast! But when we do, here’s how I handle them. First, let the shrimp cool completely before transferring to an airtight container—they’ll keep in the fridge for about 2 days. When reheating, go low and slow! Gently warm them in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often. A splash of cream or broth helps revive the sauce if it separates. Whatever you do, don’t microwave on high—that’s how you get rubbery shrimp and a grainy sauce (learned that the hard way!).

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on one serving of this dreamy creamy garlic shrimp—about 430 calories with 32g protein. Keep in mind these are estimates (my heavy cream pour isn’t always exact!). Actual values may vary based on your ingredients and portion sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

I get so many questions about this creamy garlic shrimp recipe—let me answer the most common ones I hear from friends and readers!

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! I use frozen shrimp all the time—just thaw them overnight in the fridge or run under cold water. The key? Pat them extra dry to prevent watery sauce. Some brands even come pre-peeled and deveined (my little time-saving secret).

How can I make this dairy-free?

No problem! Swap the butter for olive oil and use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream. It creates this amazing slightly sweet, tropical twist—my vegan friends go crazy for this version!

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Gently does it! Low heat on the stovetop with a splash of broth keeps the shrimp tender. Microwave reheating tends to make them rubbery—trust me, I’ve cried over ruined shrimp before!

Can I prepare this creamy garlic shrimp ahead?

You can prep ingredients in advance, but cook it fresh for best texture. That said, the sauce (without shrimp) keeps beautifully for 2 days—just rewarm and add freshly cooked shrimp when ready to serve.

Share Your Creamy Garlic Shrimp Experience

I’d love to hear how your creamy garlic shrimp turns out! Did you add any fun twists? Any kitchen disasters turned happy accidents? Drop me a comment below—your stories make my day almost as much as this delicious dish does!

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Recipe in Just 30 Minutes – Irresistible!

Author: lucy
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Lactose

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and easy creamy garlic shrimp recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce and served over rice.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 cups cooked white rice (for serving)

Instructions

Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Heat 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 pink and just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Return shrimp to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the creamy sauce.
Cook for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot over white rice.

Notes

Use fresh shrimp for best results.
Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve immediately for the best texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 430
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 300mg

Keywords: creamy garlic shrimp, creamy shrimp recipe, easy shrimp dinner, garlic butter shrimp, shrimp skillet recipe, restaurant style shrimp