Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe for Quick Weeknight Meals

This Shrimp Scampi recipe features tender shrimp sautéed in garlic and butter with a bright touch of lemon, served over pasta. It’s full of flavor and comes together in about 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or an easy dinner that feels special.

Try it with linguine, zucchini noodles, or a thick crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Delicious. Buttery, garlicky shrimp with a bright squeeze of lemon pairs beautifully with pasta or vegetables.
• Fast. From prep to plate in about 15 minutes, this is a great option when time is tight.
• Simple. Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps yield a flavorful, elegant dish anyone can make.

Shrimp Scampi Recipe

What is Shrimp Scampi?

Traditionally, scampi refers to langoustines, crustaceans with a flavor similar to lobster. In the United States, shrimp are commonly used in place of scampi, and the name “shrimp scampi” has endured. The classic preparation features butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and usually either white wine or chicken stock to create a bright, savory sauce that complements the shrimp.

This version skips wine and uses chicken stock or broth for a flavorful, family-friendly sauce that’s easy to prepare.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi

Gather and prep your ingredients before heating the pan—shrimp cook quickly and it helps to have everything within reach.

Ingredients

• Shrimp – 1 pound, peeled and deveined. Wild-caught is preferred, but good-quality frozen shrimp works well; thaw in cool water for about 10 minutes.
• Butter – about 3 tablespoons; salted or unsalted both work.
• Olive oil – 2–3 tablespoons to enrich the sauce and prevent the butter from browning.
• Garlic – 3 cloves, minced for best flavor.
• Red onion – diced, provides color and a mild sweetness (shallots may be substituted).
• Chicken stock or broth – roughly 1/4 cup to add depth without wine.
• Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon fresh for brightness.
• Salt – kosher salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon in the sauce, plus salted pasta water).
• Fresh parsley – finely chopped, about 4 tablespoons, for garnish and freshness.
• Pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread – linguine works beautifully; cook the pasta until just shy of done so it finishes in the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep everything first, then follow these quick steps:

• Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and linguine, and cook 6–8 minutes until just under al dente. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil to keep it from sticking.
• Sauté aromatics. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add minced garlic and diced red onion; sauté until softened and fragrant.
• Cook the shrimp. Add the shrimp and cook about 2–3 minutes, until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp to a plate.
• Make the sauce. Pour the chicken stock and lemon juice into the hot skillet, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer for a minute to reduce slightly.
• Finish the dish. Remove the skillet from heat and return the shrimp to the pan along with the cooked pasta, salt, and chopped parsley. Toss gently so everything is evenly coated in the sauce.
• Serve immediately. Plate the scampi over pasta or with zucchini noodles, or serve alongside crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Other Delicious Shrimp Recipes

Boiled Shrimp

Citrus Shrimp Avocado Salad

Shrimp Tacos

Make this Shrimp Scampi soon—it’s quick, comforting, and elegant enough to share with guests.