Crisp Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Paprika

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sautéed shrimp infused with smoky paprika and garlic, perfect as a tapa or light meal. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 17 minutes pairs pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 7 min Serves 4 Spanish cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound of peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Sprinkle with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, stirring once gently to coat with the garlic and paprika oil.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat, drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, and toss in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the flavorful garlic oil.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Crisp Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Paprika take to make?

Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Crisp Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Paprika?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crisp Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Paprika?

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 Crisp Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Paprika 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 Crisp Spanish Garlic Shrimp with Paprika?

Spanish 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.

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