Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Saffron Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

Tender shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil served atop fragrant saffron-infused rice for a vibrant Spanish-inspired seafood dish. This Spanish recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, soak 1/4 tsp saffron threads in 2 cups warm water for 10 minutes to release color and flavor.
2. Step 2: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until clear, then drain.
3. Step 3: In a medium saucepan, bring the saffron water with 1 tsp salt to a boil, add the drained rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and saffron color is absorbed.
4. Step 4: While rice cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp smoked paprika, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly golden.
6. Step 6: Remove skillet from heat, drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over shrimp, and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
7. Step 7: Fluff the saffron rice with a fork, then serve the garlic shrimp atop the rice, garnished with additional parsley if desired.