Absolutely! This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice is a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s elegant, packed with flavor, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or for impressing guests.
Here’s a detailed recipe to guide you through it.
Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice
This recipe serves 2-3 people generously.
Ingredients
For the Herb Rice:
· 1 cup long-grain white rice (like Jasmine or Basmati)
· 1 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable broth
· 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
· 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
· 1 tsp finely chopped fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried)
· 1 green onion, finely sliced
· Salt to taste
For the Shrimp:
· 1 lb (450g) large shrimp (16/20 or 21/25 count), peeled and deveined, tails on or off
· Salt and black pepper
· ½ tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
· 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:
· 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
· 4-5 large cloves garlic, minced
· ¼ cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio) or substitute with more broth
· ¾ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
· ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
· 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
· Optional for serving: Lemon wedges, red pepper flakes, extra parsley.
Instructions
1. Cook the Herb Rice:
· Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
· In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast.
· Add the broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
· Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Then, fluff with a fork and stir in the chopped parsley, dill, and green onion. Season with salt to taste. Keep covered until ready to serve.
2. Prepare the Shrimp:
· Pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting a good sear.
· Season the shrimp generously with salt, pepper, and paprika.
· Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the shrimp in a single layer.
· Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. They cook quickly! Do not overcook.
· Remove the shrimp immediately from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
3. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
· Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter.
· Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
· If using wine: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until reduced by half.
· If not using wine: Just add a splash of broth and scrape the bits.
· Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and add the Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
· Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. It will continue to thicken off the heat.
· Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
4. Combine and Serve:
· Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, along with any accumulated juices. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly in the sauce and heat through for about 1 minute.
· Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh parsley.
· To assemble the bowls: Divide the fluffy herb rice among bowls. Top with a generous portion of the creamy garlic butter shrimp and sauce. Spoon extra sauce over everything.
· Garnish with a lemon wedge, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick, and more fresh parsley.
Tips for the Perfect Shrimp Bowl
· Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They go from perfect to rubbery in moments. Cook them just until they turn pink and are no longer translucent.
· The Power of Deglazing: Those browned bits left in the pan after cooking the shrimp are packed with flavor. Deglazing with wine or broth incorporates them into the sauce, making it incredibly rich.
· Fresh Herbs are Key: While dried herbs can work in a pinch, fresh parsley, dill, and garlic are the stars of this dish and make a significant difference in flavor.
· Quality Parmesan: Use real Parmigiano-Reggiano that you grate yourself. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
· Make it a Meal: Feel free to add steamed vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or snap peas to your bowl for extra color and nutrition.
Enjoy your delicious and elegant homemade meal