Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Rice
Succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served atop fluffy lemon herb rice for a bright, satisfying seafood dish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice with 2 cups chicken broth and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 2: While the rice cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, seasoned with 1/2 tsp black pepper, and sauté for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 5 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to skillet, add 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Toss to coat shrimp in garlic butter sauce and cook for another minute to warm through.
- Step 5: Stir 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley into the cooked rice. Plate the lemon herb rice topped with the garlic butter shrimp and spoon any remaining sauce from the pan over the dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Rice take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Rice?
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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Rice?
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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Rice 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp over Lemon Herb Rice?
Mediterranean 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.
