The Ultimate Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp

Imagine succulent, jumbo shrimp bathed in a velvety, golden garlic cream sauce that strikes the perfect balance between rich indulgence and zesty freshness. This is the meal your weeknight routine has been dreaming of.

Why This Dish is Irresistible

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp recipe is the ultimate “ace up your sleeve” for busy weeknights or impressive date-night dinners. What makes this dish irresistible is the emulsified sauce—a harmony of melted butter, heavy cream, and aromatic garlic that clings to every curve of the shrimp. Whether you are looking for a low-carb keto dinner or a comforting meal to pour over a bed of al dente pasta, this recipe delivers high-end flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients: The Anatomy of Flavor

• 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp: Peeled and deveined. Keeping the tails on adds a gourmet aesthetic and enhances the sauce’s depth during the sauté process.
• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter: The fat base. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the sodium levels while providing a signature silky mouthfeel.
• 6 Cloves Garlic (Minced): Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, sweet aroma that pre-packaged jars simply cannot replicate.
• 1 cup Heavy Cream: Creates the thick, luscious consistency. It mellows the acidity of the lemon and binds the spices together.
• 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan: Acts as a natural thickener and adds a nutty, salty depth to the cream base.
• 1/4 cup Dry White Wine: (Optional) Such as Pinot Grigio. Used to deglaze the pan, lifting flavorful browned bits (fond) into the sauce.
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika: Gives the sauce its beautiful pale orange hue and a subtle hint of earthiness.
• Fresh Chives & Parsley: Provides a pop of color and a necessary hit of herbal freshness to cut through the richness.

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Sear the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Do not overcook; remove to a plate immediately.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 60 seconds until fragrant.
3. Deglaze and Reduce: Pour in the white wine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid reduce by half to concentrate the flavor.
4. Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and smoked paprika. Bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese slowly until the sauce is smooth.
5. Reintroduce the Shrimp: Fold the cooked shrimp back into the simmering sauce. Toss gently for 1 minute to ensure they are fully coated in the garlic-butter glaze.
6. Garnish: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with chopped chives and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Serving Suggestions

For a classic comfort meal, serve it over linguine or angel hair pasta. If you prefer a low-carb option, it tastes divine over zucchini noodles (zoodles). To soak up every drop of that liquid gold sauce, serve with a side of crusty sourdough bread.