Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Flakes over Lemon Herb Rice
Juicy sautéed shrimp with a hint of heat served on fragrant lemon herb rice for a light and satisfying meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, salt, black pepper 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. 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, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until clear, then combine with 2 cups water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Step 2: Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Cover and keep warm.
- Step 3: While the rice cooks, pat dry 1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp and season with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
- Step 6: Serve the sautéed shrimp over the lemon herb rice immediately while hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Flakes over Lemon Herb Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Flakes 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Flakes 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Flakes 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 Shrimp with Garlic and Chili Flakes 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.
