Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Chives
Plump shrimp cooked in a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce, finished with fresh chives for a quick weeknight dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped chives
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz shrimp dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 minute per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 lemon zested (about 1 tsp), 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cooking for 1 minute until butter melts and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped chives and cook for 30 seconds until heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Chives take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Shrimp with Lemon and Chives?
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 shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Lemon and Chives?
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 Shrimp with Lemon and Chives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Shrimp with Lemon and Chives?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.