Spicy Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

Sizzling Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe: Seafood Magic

Sizzling chili garlic butter shrimp dance on the edge of spicy and rich, promising a culinary adventure that tantalizes every taste bud.

The combination of bold flavors creates an irresistible seafood dish that speaks directly to lovers of bold cuisine.

Succulent shrimp glisten with a glossy, spicy coating that hints at the deliciousness to come.

garlic and chili meld together, creating a sauce so addictive you’ll want to drizzle it over everything.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of heat and comfort, making this recipe a standout in seafood cooking.

The quick cooking time means you can have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table in minutes.

Dive into this mouthwatering recipe and transform your dinner into an exciting flavor experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5min

Cook Time: 10min

Total Time: 15min

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

Chili Garlic Shrimp Ingredients You’ll Need

For Proteins:
  • Shrimp: Fresh, wild-caught shrimp offer the best flavor and texture with a sweet, delicate marine taste; look for firm, translucent shells without any strong fishy odor.
For Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic, Red Chilis: Freshly crushed garlic provides intense, pungent depth while red chilis contribute a vibrant, spicy kick that awakens the entire dish.
  • Parsley: Bright, fresh herb adds a crisp, clean finish and beautiful green color to balance the rich, spicy elements.
For Cooking Base and Liquid:
  • Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin olive oil creates a smooth cooking foundation with a subtle fruity undertone.
  • Butter: Enriches the sauce with a luxurious, velvety texture and provides a rich, golden flavor.
  • Broth: Adds moisture and helps deglaze the pan, capturing all the delicious caramelized shrimp bits for maximum flavor intensity.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that heighten and balance the overall taste profile of the dish.

Shrimp Skillet Tools & Prep Tool

  • Large Pan or Skillet: Essential for searing and cooking shrimp evenly with high, direct heat.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and tossing shrimp while preventing scratching of pan surface.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic, parsley, and red chilis before cooking.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation and clean cuts.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning salt, pepper, and other seasonings.

How to Cook Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp

  • Sizzling Preparation

Get a large pan ready with a splash of olive oil, warming it up to medium heat. The goal is creating a perfect golden stage for your seafood star.

  • Shrimp Dance

Slide plump shrimp into the pan, sprinkling them with a whisper of salt and pepper. Watch them transform from gray to blush pink in just moments, creating beautiful caramelized edges.

  • Flavor Explosion

Pour a quick splash of broth into the pan, capturing all those delicious browned bits clinging to the bottom. Drop in creamy butter, chopped garlic, fiery red chilis, and fresh green parsley.

  • Final Saucy Swirl

Gently toss shrimp through the rich, spicy butter sauce, letting each piece get coated in deliciousness. Cook just until shrimp curl and become opaque – about 30 seconds. Remove immediately to prevent overcooking.

  • Serving Magic

Transfer your glistening shrimp to a gorgeous plate, allowing the vibrant sauce to cascade around them. Enjoy immediately while everything is hot and bursting with flavor.

Spicy Tips & Garlic Variations

  • Swap out red chilis for jalapeños or serrano peppers for a different heat profile and flavor complexity.
  • Prepare larger quantities of shrimp and store in airtight containers for quick meal prep, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Enhance the butter sauce by adding a splash of white wine or fresh lemon juice to create deeper, more vibrant flavor layers.
  • Serve this zesty shrimp over rice, pasta, or alongside roasted vegetables to transform it from a simple appetizer into a complete, satisfying meal.

Serving Ideas for Shrimp Lovers

  • Seafood Pasta Perfection: Toss the saucy shrimp over al dente linguine or spaghetti for a restaurant-worthy meal that's bursting with flavor.
  • Zesty Appetizer Delight: Serve the chili garlic butter shrimp on toasted crostini or crispy crackers as a mouthwatering starter that'll impress your guests.
  • Mediterranean-Style Plate: Pair the shrimp with a fresh Greek salad and warm pita bread, creating a light and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dinner that transports you to coastal bliss.
  • Protein-Packed Bowl: Combine the shrimp with fluffy quinoa or brown rice, topped with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon for a nutritious and satisfying one-bowl meal.

How to Store Chili Garlic Shrimp

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freezing Friendly Option: Carefully package cooled shrimp in freezer-safe containers, where they'll maintain quality for up to 3 weeks when properly sealed.
  • Reheating Magic Trick: Gently warm shrimp in a skillet with a touch of butter or broth to prevent drying out, ensuring tender and flavorful results every time.
  • Smart Meal Prep Technique: Prepare shrimp sauce ingredients in advance and keep refrigerated separately, allowing quick assembly of this delicious dish during busy weeknights.
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Spicy Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe

Spicy Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 15min
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Chili garlic butter shrimp blend zesty heat with rich seafood flavors from southern coastal regions. Succulent prawns rest in spicy herb-infused butter, promising robust Mediterranean-inspired comfort for eager palates.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.25 lbs (567 g) shrimp prawns, shelled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 4 tbsps (57 g) butter
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • 45 cloves garlic, minced (or 1.5 tbsps minced garlic)
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) broth
  • 12 whole red cayenne chili peppers
  • ¼ cup (15 g) parsley, chopped
  • 1/16 tsp coarse salt, to taste
  • 1/16 tsp ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating an optimal cooking environment for seafood.
  2. Searing: Carefully place shrimp in the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, turning once to achieve a golden-pink color that indicates perfect doneness.
  3. Flavor Development: Add broth to deglaze the pan, lifting caramelized bits while creating a rich base. Introduce butter, allowing it to melt and form a luxurious sauce.
  4. Aromatic Infusion: Incorporate minced garlic and thinly sliced red chilis, stirring to release their intense flavors into the bubbling butter mixture.
  5. Final Coating: Gently fold shrimp through the chili-garlic butter sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and heated without becoming tough.
  6. Garnishing and Serving: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the shrimp for a burst of color and herbaceous notes. Immediately remove from heat to preserve the delicate texture and transfer to a serving plate, allowing the aromatic sauce to cascade over the perfectly cooked seafood.

Notes

  • Prevent Overcooking: Shrimp cook rapidly and become rubbery when exposed to heat too long; watch carefully and remove from pan immediately after turning golden-pink.
  • Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization without burning butter or seafood, creating a crisp exterior and tender interior.
  • Flavor Layering: Add minced garlic and chilis at the right moment to release maximum aromatic oils without burning, generating a rich, complex sauce base.
  • Seasoning Strategy: Salt and pepper shrimp before cooking to help develop a deeper flavor profile and ensure even seasoning throughout each piece.
  • Prep Time: 5min
  • Cook Time: 10min
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 250 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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