Low-Carb Garlic Chili Butter Shrimp 🍤 | Spicy, 15-Minute Dinner (Great with Rice or Pasta)

Rich, buttery, garlicky—and just the right amount of heat—this spicy garlic chili shrimp is your new favorite one-pan dinner. Whether you serve it over pasta, spoon it onto fluffy rice, or mop it up with warm, crusty bread, this dish explodes with flavor in every bite. Best of all? It’s on your table in about 15 minutes from start to finish.

If you love meals that feel gourmet but require minimal effort, this easy garlic chili butter shrimp checks all the boxes. It’s fast, bold, and versatile enough to be a dinner party showstopper or a weeknight go-to. Let’s dive into how to bring it all together.

Why This Garlic Chili Shrimp Recipe Works

This dish might seem fancy, but it’s all about simplicity and big flavor. By combining a few pantry staples—like butter, olive oil, garlic, and chili—you build a sauce that clings to every shrimp, making each bite spicy, buttery, and addictive.

Here’s what makes this shrimp dish a winner:

• Quick cooking time – Shrimp cooks in minutes, making this a lifesaver when you’re short on time.
• Bold flavor balance – Garlic adds depth, chili brings heat, and butter makes it all rich and luscious.
• One pan wonder – Minimal cleanup with maximum flavor.
• Endlessly versatile – Serve it with pasta, rice, couscous, quinoa, or toasted sourdough.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something extraordinary. Here’s what you’ll use:

• Shrimp (500g, large, peeled and cleaned) – Fresh or frozen (thawed), just make sure they’re deveined.
• Olive oil (40ml) – For searing the shrimp to golden perfection.
• Butter (80g) – The base of the sauce; adds that unmistakable rich flavor.
• Garlic (5 cloves, finely chopped) – No shortcuts here; fresh garlic makes all the difference.
• Cayenne peppers (1–2 whole, or dried flakes to taste) – For that spicy kick. Adjust based on your heat tolerance.
• Vegetable broth or water (2 tbsp) – Used to deglaze the pan and lift up all that caramelized flavor.
• Salt & black pepper (a pinch of each) – To season and balance.
• Fresh parsley (¼ bunch, chopped) – Adds a fresh, herby finish.

Prepping Your Shrimp Like a Pro

Don’t skip this step! Properly prepped shrimp equals better texture and flavor:

1. Peel and devein – Even if your shrimp comes cleaned, double-check.
2. Pat dry – This ensures a perfect sear and prevents them from steaming.
3. Season lightly – A bit of salt and pepper right before they hit the pan.

The Secret to a Perfect Sear

Shrimp cook quickly, so timing is everything. Follow these steps:

• Heat your olive oil until shimmering before adding shrimp.
• Place shrimp in a single layer—don’t overcrowd!
• Let them sear undisturbed for about 1–2 minutes per side.
• You’re aiming for a light pink color and opaque flesh, not rubbery overcooked shrimp.

Building the Sauce: Bold, Buttery, Beautiful

Once the shrimp is halfway there, it’s time for flavor layering:

1. Deglaze the pan with broth or water to release all the browned bits from the pan (a.k.a flavor gold).
2. Add butter, garlic, and chili. Let the butter melt and bubble gently to cook the garlic and infuse everything with heat and richness.
3. Return shrimp to the pan and stir well to coat.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re using dried chili flakes instead of whole cayenne peppers, start with ½ teaspoon and adjust to your spice tolerance.

How to Serve Garlic Chili Butter Shrimp

This dish is a chameleon—it works with everything:

• With pasta – Toss with linguine or fettuccine and a splash of pasta water for a silky, spicy shrimp scampi.
• Over rice – Fluffy jasmine or basmati rice soaks up all that buttery goodness.
• With crusty bread – Perfect for dipping and sopping up every drop of sauce.
• In lettuce cups – For a lighter, low-carb option.

Variations & Add-Ons

Want to make it your own? Here are a few tasty ideas:

• Add lemon zest or juice for a pop of acidity.
• Sprinkle with parmesan for extra umami richness.
• Toss in spinach or cherry tomatoes in the final minute for a veggie boost.
• Swap parsley for cilantro for a fresh, herby twist.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Shrimp is best eaten fresh, but here’s how to handle leftovers:

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water to avoid drying out the shrimp.

Avoid microwaving—shrimp gets rubbery fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely. Just make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry before cooking.

Is this dish spicy?
It has a moderate heat level, but you can easily dial it up or down depending on how much chili you use.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or olive oil. The flavor will change slightly but still be delicious.

Final Thoughts

This garlic chili butter shrimp recipe proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something unforgettable. It’s spicy, buttery, and downright crave-worthy—all cooked in a single skillet in under 20 minutes.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself, this recipe brings the flavor with minimal fuss. Bookmark it, save it, share it—this one’s a keeper.

Garlic Chili Butter Shrimp

This garlic chili butter shrimp is rich, spicy, and cooked to perfection in under 20 minutes. With a garlicky, buttery sauce and just the right amount of chili heat, it’s the perfect one-pan dinner to serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Quick, flavorful, and utterly satisfying, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or impressive last-minute meals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2 servings

Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 40 ml olive oil for frying
• 500 g large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 pinch coarse salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 80 g unsalted butter
• 5 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable broth or water for deglazing
• 1–2 whole red cayenne peppers or substitute with chili flakes to taste
• 0.25 bunch fresh parsley chopped

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Instructions

 

Cooking Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the shrimp in a single layer. Season with coarse salt and black pepper.
• Sear the shrimp for 1–2 minutes on each side, until they begin to turn pink but are not fully cooked.
• Deglaze the skillet by pouring in the vegetable broth or water. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon.
• Add the butter, chopped garlic, and cayenne peppers (or chili flakes) to the pan. Stir and let the butter melt, creating a bubbling sauce.
• Return the shrimp to the pan and stir well to coat with the sauce. Cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until shrimp are fully opaque and cooked through.
• Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and remove from heat. Serve hot with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

Notes

• Use fresh garlic for the best flavor—avoid jarred garlic.
• You can substitute chili flakes if whole cayenne peppers aren’t available.
• To avoid overcooking, remove shrimp from heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink.
• This dish pairs well with white wine or a citrusy salad.

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