Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Fresh Herb Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic and chili flakes, served over a refreshing salad of fresh herbs and crisp greens. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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: 5 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let garlic brown.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink at edges, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until fully opaque and firm.
  3. Step 3: Season shrimp with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper while cooking. Remove from heat and transfer shrimp to a serving bowl.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, toss 2 cups baby arugula with 1 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs and 2 tbsp lemon juice until lightly coated.
  5. Step 5: Serve the warm shrimp over the herb salad, spooning any pan juices on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Fresh Herb Salad take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 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-Chili Shrimp with Fresh Herb Salad?

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 Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Fresh Herb Salad?

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-Chili Shrimp with Fresh Herb Salad 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-Chili Shrimp with Fresh Herb Salad?

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.

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