Crispy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

by

If you are looking for a restaurant-quality meal that delivers maximum flavor in under 15 minutes, Crispy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi is an absolute must-try! Featuring juicy, plump shrimp seared to crispy golden perfection and tossed in a rich, glossy garlic butter scampi sauce laced with lemon and fresh parsley, this dish is bright, buttery, and totally addictive. Serve it as an impressive appetizer or pair it with pasta for a quick weeknight feast!

Ingredients

For the Crispy Shrimp:

  • Large Shrimp: 1.5 lbs (680g) large raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on or off).
  • Cornstarch: 1 tbsp (for creating crispy golden edges).
  • Seasoning: ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Olive Oil: 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for searing).

For the Garlic Butter Scampi Sauce:

  • Unsalted Butter: 3 tbsp.
  • Garlic: 6 cloves minced.
  • Dry White Wine or Chicken Broth: ¼ cup (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work best).
  • Lemon Juice & Zest: 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice + 1 tsp lemon zest.
  • Fresh Herbs: 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley.
  • Garnish: Extra lemon wedges for serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prep and Crisp the Shrimp:
    • Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels (removing excess surface moisture is key to getting crispy edges).
    • In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
  2. Sear to Golden Perfection:
    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over high heat until shimmering.
    • Add the shrimp in a single layer (cook in two batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding).
    • Sear undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown, crispy around the edges, and opaque.
    • Transfer seared shrimp to a warm plate and set aside.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Scampi Sauce:
    • Reduce skillet heat to medium and add the butter.
    • Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
    • Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
  4. Toss and Serve:
    • Return the crispy shrimp to the skillet and toss continuously in the sizzling garlic butter scampi sauce for 1 minute.
    • Stir in the lemon zest and fresh chopped parsley.
    • Remove from heat immediately and serve piping hot with extra lemon wedges!

Chef’s Tips for Success

  • Dry the Shrimp Well: Moisture is the enemy of a crisp sear! Ensure your shrimp are patted completely dry before tossing with cornstarch.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the shrimp in batches if your pan isn’t large enough. Overcrowding traps steam and prevents the edges from getting crisp and golden.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve over a bed of garlic butter linguine, angel hair pasta, fluffy jasmine rice, or alongside warm crusty sourdough bread to mop up every drop of scampi sauce.

Leave a Comment