Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Lemon Zest

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

A vibrant seafood dish featuring shrimp quickly sautéed with garlic, chili flakes, and fresh lemon zest for a bright, flavorful finish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe (low carb, gluten free), ready in about 16 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, extra virgin 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 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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: 6 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant and the garlic edges are golden but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound of peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, seasoning with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook without stirring for 2 minutes until the shrimp edges turn pink and begin to curl.
  3. Step 3: Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fully opaque and cooked through. Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently to coat the shrimp evenly, then serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Lemon Zest take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Lemon Zest?

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 Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Lemon Zest?

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 Lemon Zest 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.

Is Sautéed Garlic-Chili Shrimp with Lemon Zest low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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