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Creamy Garlic-Paprika Shrimp Skillet

Creamy Garlic-Paprika Shrimp Skillet

The Creamy Garlic-Paprika Shrimp Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender shrimp in a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce with a smoky paprika touch. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers a rich, satisfying meal with minimal cleanup and versatile options for customization.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Seasoning

  • 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Shrimp: Start by rinsing your shrimp, then pat them dry with paper towels to ensure they sear beautifully instead of steaming. Season lightly with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Spices: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then stir in smoked paprika, allowing the spice to toast gently and release its smoky aroma.
  3. Cook the Shrimp: Increase the heat slightly and add the shrimp to the skillet, sautéing until they turn pink and opaque—this usually takes 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp and set aside to prevent overcooking.
  4. Create the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat and pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic and paprika mix. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return the shrimp to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley on top for freshness and color.

Notes

  • Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly; watch closely to keep them tender and juicy.
  • Toast Your Spices: Gently toasting paprika amplifies its smoky flavor significantly.
  • Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds far more flavor than pre-minced or powdered garlic.
  • Low and Slow Cream Sauce: Simmer the cream gently to avoid curdling and to get a velvety texture.
  • Lemon Balance: Adding lemon juice at the end brightens the dish and balances the richness perfectly.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp, creamy garlic shrimp, smoked paprika shrimp, skillet shrimp, quick shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten free dinner