Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
Creamy Garlic Shrimp – The best, easiest garlic shrimp recipe you’ll ever make. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to the creamiest, most flavorful garlic shrimp at home. The garlic-infused cream sauce is irresistible, and it’s ready in just 20 minutes. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits and Easy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe.
Why This Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- The creamiest, most flavorful garlic shrimp sauce you've ever tasted.
- Ready in just 20 minutes – faster than takeout!
- Easy, one-pan recipe with minimal cleanup.
- Versatile – serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
What You'll Need for Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb shrimp
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 tbsp butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- shrimp: Peel and devein if needed. Tail-on or off, either works.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and cooking. → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Smooths the sauce right in the pan, no mess. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil. Add heavy cream, reduce heat, and let it simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Step 3: Return shrimp to the skillet, stir to coat in the sauce. Add lemon juice and parsley. Cook for another 2 minutes. Serve over pasta or rice, and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the shrimp – they'll become tough and rubbery. They cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
- Pro tip: For a spicy version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Pro tip: Make it a meal: Serve over cooked pasta or rice, and add a side of Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits for a complete dinner.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Reheat and add shrimp just before serving.
Freezing Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked, unthawed shrimp for up to 2 months. Reheat in the skillet.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a thermometer to ensure your skillet is at the right temperature for searing.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken broth with white wine for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Reheat and add shrimp just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, let it simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water).
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality shrimp — Fresh, sustainably-sourced shrimp pays for itself vs. takeout and ensures the best flavor. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
- Lemon juice
- Garlic powder
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil. Add heavy cream, reduce heat, and let it simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Step 3: Return shrimp to the skillet, stir to coat in the sauce. Add lemon juice and parsley. Cook for another 2 minutes. Serve over pasta or rice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a thermometer to ensure your skillet is at the right temperature for searing.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken broth with white wine for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Reheat and add shrimp just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the quantities accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, let it simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water).
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked, unthawed shrimp for up to 2 months. Reheat in the skillet.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Reheat and add shrimp just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 280mg
- Sat. Fat: 16g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Reheat and add shrimp just before serving to prevent overcooking.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Cook the shrimp in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, then follow the recipe to make the sauce and combine.
Serve over pasta or rice, and add a side of Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits or Easy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad for a complete meal.
This recipe contains a moderate amount of fat and calories due to the cream and butter. Enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Garlic Shrimp – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
