Here’s a spicy, buttery Cajun Shrimp Scampi recipe—quick, flavorful, and perfect over pasta or rice 🍤🔥
Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients (serves 2–4)
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Cooked pasta, rice, or crusty bread for serving
Instructions
1. Prep the shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
2. Sauté garlic
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook shrimp
- Add shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp and set aside.
4. Make sauce
- Pour wine or broth into skillet, scraping up any browned bits.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Stir in lemon juice and additional Cajun seasoning if desired.
5. Combine
- Return shrimp to skillet, toss to coat in sauce.
- Sprinkle with parsley.
6. Serve
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Tips
- Spice level: Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to your heat preference.
- Extra richness: Add an extra tablespoon of butter at the end.
- Herb variations: Swap parsley for cilantro for a twist.
- Make it a one-pan meal: Toss in cooked spaghetti during the final step.
If you want, I can also give a garlic butter Cajun shrimp scampi with a creamy sauce or a low-carb zucchini noodle version.
Which one do you want?
