Sizzling Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Prepare shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. If frozen, thaw completely and remove any remaining veins. Season both sides lightly with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Heat pan

Place a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter and let the butter melt and begin to foam but not brown (about 1 minute).

Sear shrimp

Add shrimp in a single layer (do not overcrowd—work in two batches if necessary). Cook undisturbed 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on the first side until pink at edges, then flip and cook another 30–60 seconds until just cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.

Aromatics and chiles

Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same pan. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sliced red chiles (or red pepper flakes). Sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Deglaze and make sauce

Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken stock) to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the liquid simmer for 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.

Finish sauce

Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Return the cooked shrimp and any accumulated juices to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce for 30–60 seconds to reheat the shrimp but avoid overcooking.

Garnish and serve

Turn off heat and sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped parsley over the shrimp. Give a final toss, taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a sizzling serving dish or skillet if desired and serve immediately with lemon wedges alongside the garlic bread.

Preheat

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or set broiler to high if you prefer faster browning.

Make garlic butter

In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons softened butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional), and a pinch of fine sea salt. Mix until smooth.

Assemble

Spread the garlic butter evenly over each slice of baguette. Place slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake or broil

Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes until the edges are golden and the butter is melted. If using the broiler, broil 1–2 minutes watching closely for browning but not burning.

Finish

Remove from oven and sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley for color. Serve hot alongside the sizzling shrimp so guests can soak up the garlic-lemon sauce with the bread.