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Quick & Flavorful Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce

A close-up of perfectly cooked, glazed cajun shrimp garnished with fresh chopped parsley on a white plate.
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Make bold, Louisiana-inspired Cajun shrimp quickly using a simple garlic butter sauce. This recipe delivers intense flavor perfect for a weeknight meal over rice or with bread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun spice blend (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the shrimp completely dry using paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the dry shrimp with the Cajun spice blend until every piece is evenly coated.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth or water and bring the liquid to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce reduce slightly for about 1 minute.
  5. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the shrimp in the garlic butter sauce. Cook for 30 seconds to reheat.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Taste the sauce and add salt or more spice if needed.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately over rice, with crusty bread for dipping, or toss with cooked pasta for a quick Cajun shrimp pasta dish.

Notes

  • For a blackened shrimp effect, increase the heat to high for the initial sear, cooking quickly until a dark crust forms, but watch carefully to prevent burning the spices.
  • If you want a creamy sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half during the last minute of cooking before adding the shrimp back in.
  • You can prepare this as Cajun shrimp foil packs by mixing all ingredients (except broth) in foil, sealing, and baking at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/quick-cajun-shrimp-garlic-butter-sauce-recipe/