Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Shrimp Rice Pilaf
A fragrant rice pilaf with succulent shrimp and aromatic herbs, inspired by the flavors of Braga’s iconic Bom Jesus sanctuary. This portuguese-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, long grain white rice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly golden. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 1 medium finely diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice to the skillet, stirring to coat the grains with oil and onion mixture. Cook for 2 minutes until rice is slightly toasted.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, gently fold in the cooked shrimp, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Let sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Shrimp Rice Pilaf take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Shrimp Rice Pilaf?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep long grain white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Shrimp Rice Pilaf?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Shrimp Rice Pilaf for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bom Jesus-Inspired Portuguese Shrimp Rice Pilaf?
Portuguese seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
