Spiced Gulf Coast Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Rice Pilaf
Juicy shrimp seasoned with Gulf Coast spices, sautéed in garlic butter and served over fragrant rice pilaf for a flavorful dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 large shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 small, finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, add 1/2 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Step 2: Add the rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
- Step 4: In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6: Add the spiced shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 7: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp, and toss gently.
- Step 8: Serve the shrimp over the rice pilaf with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Gulf Coast Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Rice Pilaf 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 Spiced Gulf Coast Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Rice Pilaf?
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 Spiced Gulf Coast Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Rice Pilaf?
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 Spiced Gulf Coast Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Rice Pilaf 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 Spiced Gulf Coast Shrimp with Garlic Butter and Rice Pilaf?
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.
