Quick Garlic Prawns with Chili and Lemon on Toast

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A speedy seafood dish of garlic and chili sautéed prawns brightened with lemon, served on toasted rustic bread for an easy Australian-inspired dinner. This Australian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs large raw prawns, peeled and deveined, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 8 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and is foaming.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large prawns, sprinkle with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly golden.
  4. Step 4: Flip prawns and cook another 1-2 minutes until fully opaque. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, toast 4 slices of rustic bread until golden and warm.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the garlic chili prawns and sauce over the toasted bread slices. Serve immediately with 4 lemon wedges for extra brightness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Garlic Prawns with Chili and Lemon on Toast take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Quick Garlic Prawns with Chili and Lemon on Toast?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Garlic Prawns with Chili and Lemon on Toast?

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 Quick Garlic Prawns with Chili and Lemon on Toast 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 Quick Garlic Prawns with Chili and Lemon on Toast?

Australian 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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