20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet

The Story & Intro

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.

And oh là là… today’s recipe is exactly the kind of dish that makes my heart flutter 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet. I still remember the first time I made this after arriving in the U.S. I’d been craving something quick, comforting, and boldly flavorful, something that reminded me of the sizzling shrimp my grandmother used to make back in Marseille during summer visits. She’d toss plump shrimp in a pan with what felt like a scandalous amount of garlic, fresh parsley, and lemon. The whole kitchen would smell like heaven.

Fast forward to my life here in America: I was missing home, missing the sea, missing French markets… so I recreated her dish but with my own little twist more garlic (because why not), a splash of lemon, and butter to make it silky and rich. And just like that, my version of the 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet was born.

This dish isn’t just fast it’s vibrant, aromatic, full of personality, and perfect for nights when you want something delicious without spending forever over the stove. Whether you serve it over rice, pasta, or crusty bread, it tastes like a warm hug from the coastline of southern France.

So grab your shrimp, heat your skillet, and let’s bring some magic into your kitchen 💛🍤

⏱️ Time

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 10 minutes
• Total: 20 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this irresistible 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet:

• 1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional but so good!)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: 1 tablespoon white wine for deglazing (highly recommended!)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the shrimp

Pat your shrimp dry. This step helps them sear beautifully instead of steaming. Season with a little salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

2. Heat the skillet

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Let that butter melt into a gorgeous glossy pool.

3. Sauté the garlic

Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Don’t walk away garlic burns faster than I run toward fresh croissants!

4. Cook the shrimp

Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and slightly golden around the edges.

5. Deglaze (optional but magical)

Pour in a splash of white wine if using. Stir to lift all those flavorful browned bits.

6. Finish with lemon + butter

Add the remaining butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Toss gently until the shrimp are glossy and coated.

7. Garnish and serve

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while the skillet is still sizzling.

Serving Suggestions 🍽️

This 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet is incredibly versatile. Here are my favorite pairings:

• Over white rice or jasmine rice
  The butter-garlic sauce soaks into the grains like a dream.
• With linguine or angel hair pasta
  Add a splash of reserved pasta water for a silky sauce.
• With warm crusty French bread
  For soaking up every last drop très important.
• On top of a big, fresh salad
  Especially one with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and lemon vinaigrette.
• Tucked into tacos
  (Yes, really!) Add slaw, lime cream, and cilantro.

📝 Recipe Notes

• Use fresh or frozen shrimp — just thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry.
• Don’t skip the lemon zest — it brightens the whole skillet.
• Add veggies if you want: cherry tomatoes, spinach, or zucchini cook beautifully with shrimp.
• Make it creamy: add ¼ cup heavy cream at the end.
• Make it spicy: increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne.

🍽️ Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values (serves 4):

• Calories: ~260
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 14g
• Carbs: 3g
• Sugar: 0g
• Fiber: 0g

Recipe Card 💛🍤

📌 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet

⏱️ Total Time: 20 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
🌟 Difficulty: Easy

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt & black pepper
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• Optional: 1 tbsp white wine

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Pat shrimp dry and season lightly.
2. Heat butter + oil in skillet over medium-high.
3. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds.
4. Add shrimp; cook 2 minutes per side.
5. Deglaze with wine (optional).
6. Add remaining butter, lemon juice, and zest.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

📝 Notes

• Add cream for a richer sauce.
• Serve with rice, bread, pasta, or salad.

Conclusion

If you’re craving something bright, buttery, garlicky, and wildly satisfying in almost no time at all, this 20-Minute Garlic Shrimp Skillet will be your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights yet flavorful enough for cozy weekends or dinner guests. Every bite tastes like sunshine, comfort, and a touch of French soul.

Thank you for cooking with me today I hope this dish brings warmth, joy, and deliciousness to your table. Until next time, my friends… bon appétit! 💛🍤