This Creamy Garlic Shrimp is the ultimate quick and delicious dinner! Juicy shrimp coated in a rich, buttery garlic-Parmesan sauce come together in just 10 minutes. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this recipe is easy to make and packed with flavor.
😍Reasons to Love This Creamy Garlic Shrimp
It’s ready in just 10 minutes, making it ideal for hectic weeknights when you need a quick, satisfying meal. The buttery garlic-Parmesan sauce is kid-approved and pairs beautifully with simple sides like rice, pasta, or veggies. With minimal prep and easy cleanup, it’s a go-to dish that brings everyone to the table without stress. Delicious, fast, and family-friendly—what’s not to love?
Be sure to check out Creamy Tuscan Butter Shrimp, Baked Shrimp Scampi with Bread Crumbs, Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi, or the Best Shrimp Alfredo for even more delicious shrimp inspiration!
✅Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted Butter: Gives you full control over the saltiness of the dish.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key for a bold, aromatic flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic in jars for the best results.
- Chicken Broth: Low-sodium broth ensures the sauce doesn’t become overly salty, especially when combined with Parmesan cheese. You can substitute with vegetable broth if needed.
- Heavy Cream: This gives the sauce a creamy texture. For a lighter option, try half and half, but expect a thinner consistency.
- Parmesan Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-shredded, as the latter doesn’t melt as smoothly and may affect the sauce’s texture.
- Shrimp: Large shrimp (16-20 count per pound) are ideal for this dish as they cook quickly and stay juicy.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a vibrant touch and fresh herbaceous flavor to balance the richness of the sauce.
- Lemon Wedges (Optional): A squeeze of lemon brightens the dish and cuts through the creamy sauce, elevating the overall flavor profile.
🔪How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Find the full recipe with detailed instructions at the bottom of the page!
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring, until it smells fragrant.
Pour in the broth and let it simmer until the liquid reduces by half.
Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir occasionally and let it gently simmer. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts and the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pink and fully cooked. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for extra flavor.
👨🍳Pro Tips
- Prep Before You Start: Shrimp cooks quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before turning on the heat. This ensures smooth cooking and prevents overcooking.
- Shrimp Quality: Fresh, wild-caught shrimp is ideal for the best flavor, but high-quality frozen shrimp can be a convenient and delicious alternative.
- Cream Options: For a lighter option, half & half works well without compromising the texture too much.
- Parmesan Matters: Always use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents, which prevent the cheese from melting smoothly into the sauce.
- Pair with the Right Sides: This dish shines when paired with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce. For a lighter option, serve with steamed or roasted vegetables.
🗄️Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Creamy Garlic Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid overheating to keep the shrimp tender.
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!
Creamy Garlic Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth and let the liquid simmer and reduce by half.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream.
- Stir occasionally and let it gently simmer.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and let the sauce simmer for another minute, stirring until the cheese melts.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
- Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for that extra burst of flavor.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This shrimp recipe was incredible! The garlic cream sauce was rich and flavorful without being overpowering. We served it over pasta, and it was restaurant quality!
Sarah, thank you! I’m so glad you found it restaurant-quality. Serving it over pasta is a great choice—yum!