Description
A quick and flavorful Shrimp Scampi recipe without wine, using a savory homemade chicken stock base. This dish combines juicy jumbo shrimp sautéed in butter, olive oil, garlic, and spices, finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley. Perfectly served over cooked pasta with a splash of pasta water for extra flavor, and accompanied by toasted bread slices.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- ½ lb jumbo shrimp (shells and tails on or off, adjust cooking time accordingly)
- ½ cup boiling water (or homemade chicken stock to skip the stock cube)
- ¼ chicken stock cube
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp fine table salt
- ¼ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp red chili pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
To Serve
- 2 slices bread
- 2 servings cooked spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta
- ¼ cup pasta cooking water
Instructions
- Prepare the Stock: Dissolve the chicken stock cube in the boiling water and set aside to infuse flavors while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Heat Butter and Oil: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter together with the olive oil to create a rich base for the scampi sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute, carefully avoiding browning. Adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning and maintain garlic’s delicate flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the prepared chicken stock along with salt, paprika powder, red chili flakes, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until the tails turn pink. Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1 minute until the other side is also pink and shrimp are cooked through.
- Finish the Sauce: Turn off the heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley to brighten and freshen the flavors. Mix well to combine thoroughly.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta and pasta cooking water to the skillet, gently tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the flavorful scampi sauce.
- Prepare Bread: Toast or warm the slices of bread to serve alongside the dish, perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- If using shrimp with shells on, cooking time may increase slightly.
- Using homemade chicken stock enhances flavor, but chicken stock cubes work well.
- Pasta cooking water helps to loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
