Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Easy Weeknight Meal

May 15, 2025 by Stella

Are you ready for a quick and tasty dinner? Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice is your answer! This dish combines juicy shrimp, fluffy jasmine rice, and rich flavors that make any weeknight special. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll impress your family in no time. Join me as I guide you through this delicious meal that’s perfect for any busy schedule! Let’s get started.

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients

Essential Ingredients for Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice

– 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 1 cup jasmine rice

– 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

For this dish, shrimp is the star. Its sweet, tender meat cooks fast. Jasmine rice is perfect here, as it brings a lovely aroma and texture. Using chicken or vegetable broth adds depth to the rice, making it flavorful and rich.

Flavor Enhancers

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Unsalted butter is key. It adds creaminess without overpowering the dish. Garlic brings a warm, savory note. Red pepper flakes give a spicy kick, which you can adjust to your liking. These flavors blend beautifully with the shrimp.

Seasonings and Garnish

– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

– 1 tablespoon lemon juice

– Fresh parsley, chopped

– Salt and pepper to taste

Smoked paprika adds warmth and a hint of smokiness. Lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the richness. Fresh parsley adds color and a fresh taste. Don’t forget salt and pepper; they enhance all the flavors.

For the complete recipe, check out the full recipe. Each ingredient plays a role in making this dish a quick, tasty meal for any night of the week.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Rice

First, rinse the jasmine rice under cold water. This step helps remove extra starch. Rinsing ensures the rice is fluffy and not sticky. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.

Next, in a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and chicken broth. Bring this to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. The rice will absorb the broth and become tender. After 15 minutes, remove it from the heat but keep it covered for 5 more minutes. This resting time helps the rice finish cooking.

Cooking the Shrimp

While the rice cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Be careful not to let the butter burn. Add the minced garlic and sauté it for 1-2 minutes. You want it fragrant but not brown.

Now, stir in the red pepper flakes and smoked paprika. Cook for another minute to release their flavors. Then, add the shrimp to the skillet. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and be fully cooked. Once done, squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp and remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the remaining butter until it melts and combines.

Combining Ingredients

Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Then, gently mix it with the shrimp and garlic butter sauce in the skillet. Make sure everything is well combined and coated in the sauce.

Finally, transfer the garlic butter shrimp and rice to a serving dish or bowls. For a nice touch, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. This adds color and a fresh flavor. Enjoy this easy weeknight meal! You can find the full recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice Delight 🦐 to guide you through each step.

Tips & Tricks

Best Practices for Cooking Rice

To cook perfect rice, start by rinsing the jasmine rice. Rinsing removes excess starch. This helps prevent stickiness. Use cold water and rinse until the water runs clear. For cooking, combine the rinsed rice with chicken broth. This adds flavor and moisture.

When checking rice doneness, look for a fluffy texture. The rice should absorb all the liquid. If it’s still hard, cook for a few more minutes. Let it sit covered for five minutes. This helps the rice finish cooking and become fluffy.

Perfecting Shrimp Cooking

For cooking shrimp, timing is key. Cook shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and opaque. If overcooked, they become rubbery. Keep an eye on them as they cook.

Adjust spice levels to your taste. If you like heat, add more red pepper flakes. For a milder flavor, reduce the amount. You can also add other spices like black pepper or cayenne for a unique kick.

Enhancing Flavors

To enhance flavors, consider adding fresh herbs. Parsley adds a nice touch of color and taste. Other herbs like basil or cilantro work well too. You can also try adding spices like thyme or oregano.

For serving suggestions, try pairing the dish with a light salad. A fresh green salad balances the richness of the shrimp. You can also serve it with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce. For an extra twist, squeeze more lemon juice before serving.

For a full recipe, check out Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice Delight.

Variations

Different Rice Options

You can change the rice for this dish. Brown rice or quinoa gives a nutty taste. Both options add more fiber to your meal. If you want a low-carb version, try cauliflower rice. It cooks fast and takes on the flavors well. This swap keeps your dish light and healthy.

Alternative Proteins

If you want to switch things up, use chicken or tofu instead of shrimp. Both options cook well in the garlic butter sauce. You can also try other seafood, like scallops or fish. Just adjust your cooking time based on what you choose. This keeps your meals exciting and new.

Flavor Combinations

Adding vegetables is a great way to boost nutrition. Try bell peppers, snap peas, or spinach. They cook quickly and add color. You can also experiment with different sauces. A splash of soy sauce or a dollop of pesto can change the taste. These ideas keep your Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice fun and fresh. For more details, check the Full Recipe.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your garlic butter shrimp and rice fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This helps prevent spoilage. The shrimp and rice will stay good for about three days.

Reheating Instructions

You can reheat your meal in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you use the microwave, cover the dish with a damp paper towel. This keeps it moist. Heat in 30-second intervals until warm. On the stovetop, add a splash of broth to a pan over low heat. Stir gently until warmed through. This method helps keep the shrimp tender.

Meal Prep Ideas

Batch cooking is a great way to save time. Cook extra rice and shrimp on a quieter day. Divide them into single portions for easy meals later. You can also freeze leftovers. Use freezer-safe bags and remove air to keep them fresh. Just thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to eat!

FAQs

How long does it take to make Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice?

Making Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice is quick. You will need about 10 minutes for prep. Cooking takes around 20 minutes. In total, you can enjoy this meal in just 30 minutes! This makes it perfect for busy weeknights.

Can I make this recipe without shrimp?

Yes, you can! If you do not have shrimp, try chicken or tofu. Both options work well and absorb flavor nicely. You can also use scallops or fish for a seafood twist. Feel free to mix and match your favorite proteins.

What side dishes pair well with Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice?

This dish goes great with many sides. A fresh salad adds crunch and color. Steamed or roasted vegetables work well too. You can try asparagus, broccoli, or green beans. These sides balance the rich flavors of the shrimp and rice.

Where can I find the full recipe?

You can find the full recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice Delight [here](https://www.example.com). 🦐

In this post, we explored making Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice. You learned about the key ingredients: shrimp, jasmine rice, and broth. I shared tips for cooking rice and shrimp perfectly. We also looked at variations, like using different proteins and rice types. You can store leftovers easily and reheat them while keeping great flavor.

Cooking this dish is fun and satisfying. Don’t hesitate to try different flavors and ingredients. Enjoy your cooking journey!

$- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 1 cup jasmine rice - 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth For this dish, shrimp is the star. Its sweet, tender meat cooks fast. Jasmine rice is perfect here, as it brings a lovely aroma and texture. Using chicken or vegetable broth adds depth to the rice, making it flavorful and rich. - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Unsalted butter is key. It adds creaminess without overpowering the dish. Garlic brings a warm, savory note. Red pepper flakes give a spicy kick, which you can adjust to your liking. These flavors blend beautifully with the shrimp. - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Fresh parsley, chopped - Salt and pepper to taste Smoked paprika adds warmth and a hint of smokiness. Lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the richness. Fresh parsley adds color and a fresh taste. Don’t forget salt and pepper; they enhance all the flavors. For the complete recipe, check out the full recipe. Each ingredient plays a role in making this dish a quick, tasty meal for any night of the week. First, rinse the jasmine rice under cold water. This step helps remove extra starch. Rinsing ensures the rice is fluffy and not sticky. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Next, in a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and chicken broth. Bring this to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. The rice will absorb the broth and become tender. After 15 minutes, remove it from the heat but keep it covered for 5 more minutes. This resting time helps the rice finish cooking. While the rice cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Be careful not to let the butter burn. Add the minced garlic and sauté it for 1-2 minutes. You want it fragrant but not brown. Now, stir in the red pepper flakes and smoked paprika. Cook for another minute to release their flavors. Then, add the shrimp to the skillet. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and be fully cooked. Once done, squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp and remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the remaining butter until it melts and combines. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Then, gently mix it with the shrimp and garlic butter sauce in the skillet. Make sure everything is well combined and coated in the sauce. Finally, transfer the garlic butter shrimp and rice to a serving dish or bowls. For a nice touch, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. This adds color and a fresh flavor. Enjoy this easy weeknight meal! You can find the full recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice Delight 🦐 to guide you through each step. To cook perfect rice, start by rinsing the jasmine rice. Rinsing removes excess starch. This helps prevent stickiness. Use cold water and rinse until the water runs clear. For cooking, combine the rinsed rice with chicken broth. This adds flavor and moisture. When checking rice doneness, look for a fluffy texture. The rice should absorb all the liquid. If it's still hard, cook for a few more minutes. Let it sit covered for five minutes. This helps the rice finish cooking and become fluffy. For cooking shrimp, timing is key. Cook shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and opaque. If overcooked, they become rubbery. Keep an eye on them as they cook. Adjust spice levels to your taste. If you like heat, add more red pepper flakes. For a milder flavor, reduce the amount. You can also add other spices like black pepper or cayenne for a unique kick. To enhance flavors, consider adding fresh herbs. Parsley adds a nice touch of color and taste. Other herbs like basil or cilantro work well too. You can also try adding spices like thyme or oregano. For serving suggestions, try pairing the dish with a light salad. A fresh green salad balances the richness of the shrimp. You can also serve it with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce. For an extra twist, squeeze more lemon juice before serving. For a full recipe, check out Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice Delight. {{image_2}} You can change the rice for this dish. Brown rice or quinoa gives a nutty taste. Both options add more fiber to your meal. If you want a low-carb version, try cauliflower rice. It cooks fast and takes on the flavors well. This swap keeps your dish light and healthy. If you want to switch things up, use chicken or tofu instead of shrimp. Both options cook well in the garlic butter sauce. You can also try other seafood, like scallops or fish. Just adjust your cooking time based on what you choose. This keeps your meals exciting and new. Adding vegetables is a great way to boost nutrition. Try bell peppers, snap peas, or spinach. They cook quickly and add color. You can also experiment with different sauces. A splash of soy sauce or a dollop of pesto can change the taste. These ideas keep your Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice fun and fresh. For more details, check the Full Recipe. To keep your garlic butter shrimp and rice fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. This helps prevent spoilage. The shrimp and rice will stay good for about three days. You can reheat your meal in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you use the microwave, cover the dish with a damp paper towel. This keeps it moist. Heat in 30-second intervals until warm. On the stovetop, add a splash of broth to a pan over low heat. Stir gently until warmed through. This method helps keep the shrimp tender. Batch cooking is a great way to save time. Cook extra rice and shrimp on a quieter day. Divide them into single portions for easy meals later. You can also freeze leftovers. Use freezer-safe bags and remove air to keep them fresh. Just thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to eat! Making Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice is quick. You will need about 10 minutes for prep. Cooking takes around 20 minutes. In total, you can enjoy this meal in just 30 minutes! This makes it perfect for busy weeknights. Yes, you can! If you do not have shrimp, try chicken or tofu. Both options work well and absorb flavor nicely. You can also use scallops or fish for a seafood twist. Feel free to mix and match your favorite proteins. This dish goes great with many sides. A fresh salad adds crunch and color. Steamed or roasted vegetables work well too. You can try asparagus, broccoli, or green beans. These sides balance the rich flavors of the shrimp and rice. You can find the full recipe for Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice Delight [here](https://www.example.com). 🦐 In this post, we explored making Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice. You learned about the key ingredients: shrimp, jasmine rice, and broth. I shared tips for cooking rice and shrimp perfectly. We also looked at variations, like using different proteins and rice types. You can store leftovers easily and reheat them while keeping great flavor. Cooking this dish is fun and satisfying. Don’t hesitate to try different flavors and ingredients. Enjoy your cooking journey!$