Description
A quick and flavorful Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli skillet dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a garlicky butter sauce with tender-crisp broccoli, brightened with lemon juice and zest, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasonings
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking.
- Heat olive oil: Add the olive oil to the skillet and allow it to heat for about a minute until shimmering.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Toast spices: Stir in red pepper flakes and dried thyme, allowing them to toast briefly for enhanced flavor.
- Cook shrimp: Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
- Set shrimp aside: Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate to keep warm.
- Melt butter: In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt, swirling to combine with the garlic and oil remnants.
- Cook broccoli: Add broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender yet crisp.
- Add lemon: Squeeze lemon juice over broccoli and sprinkle lemon zest, stirring to incorporate the bright flavors.
- Return shrimp: Return shrimp to the skillet, tossing them with broccoli to combine evenly.
- Season: Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Final cook: Cook everything together for 2 minutes to ensure all ingredients are warmed and coated.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use large shrimp for best texture and quick cooking times.
- Do not overcook shrimp; they are done when pink and opaque.
- Broccoli should remain tender yet crisp for best mouthfeel.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors and can be adjusted to taste.
