Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice is a simple yet impressive meal that combines tender shrimp in a rich, flavorful sauce with fragrant lemon-parsley rice. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, it’s sure to satisfy seafood lovers with its buttery garlic goodness and fresh herb notes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water (optional: half broth, half water)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (or jasmine for aroma)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on if preferred)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5–6 garlic cloves, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for mild heat)
• ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the broth, rice, salt, and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes or according to the rice package instructions until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the chopped parsley and lemon zest. Keep covered to stay warm.
2. Step 2: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt and pepper on both sides to remove excess moisture for better searing.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until just pink and slightly cooked through. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
4. Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the shrimp and any collected juices to the skillet. Stir to coat the shrimp in the sauce. Turn off the heat, then add lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice if needed.
6. Step 6: Divide the herb rice evenly among bowls. Spoon the creamy garlic butter shrimp on top, adding extra sauce over the rice. Garnish with additional parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, use jasmine rice for a fragrant herb rice base.
• If you prefer less heat, omit the red pepper flakes or reduce the amount.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
• Garnish with freshly chopped chives or basil for a different herb twist.
• If fresh parsley is not available, substitute with dried parsley but add it at the beginning of cooking the rice for better flavor infusion.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Shrimp can become rubbery if overcooked during reheating, so warm just until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp can be used. Make sure to fully thaw and pat them dry before cooking to get a good sear and avoid excess moisture.

What can I serve with this shrimp bowl?

This dish is a complete meal with rice and shrimp, but you can serve it alongside a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 52 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice is a delightful, quick, and flavorful dish featuring tender shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter cream sauce, served over fragrant herb-infused rice. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines a luscious sauce with fresh parsley and lemon zest for a balance of creaminess and brightness.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Herb Rice

• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water (optional: half broth, half water)
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (or jasmine for aroma)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)

For the Garlic Butter Shrimp

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on if preferred)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5–6 garlic cloves, finely minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for mild heat)
• ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook Herb Rice: Place broth, rice, salt, and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes (or according to rice package) until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, then stir in chopped parsley and lemon zest. Cover to keep warm.
2. Season Shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring better searing. Season evenly with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Sear Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until shrimp are just pink and slightly cooked through. Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
4. Build Garlic Butter Sauce: Lower heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add grated Parmesan cheese and whisk until melted and sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
5. Finish Shrimp: Return the cooked shrimp and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir gently to coat the shrimp evenly with the sauce. Turn off the heat, then add lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
6. Build the Bowls: Divide the herb rice evenly among serving bowls. Ladle the creamy garlic butter shrimp on top, spoon extra sauce over the rice, and garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness slightly.
• If you prefer less heat, omit the red pepper flakes.
• Use jasmine rice for added fragrance in the herb rice.
• To make the dish gluten-free, verify that your chicken broth and Parmesan cheese contain no gluten additives.
• For easier prep, shrimp can be shelled and deveined in advance and refrigerated.
• Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: garlic butter shrimp, creamy shrimp, herb rice, quick shrimp recipe, dinner bowl, seafood rice bowl, easy shrimp dinner