Creamy Garlic Butter Seafood Skillet with Shrimp

Description

This Creamy Garlic Butter Seafood Skillet with Shrimp is a luxurious yet easy seafood dinner packed with juicy shrimp, tender scallops, and a rich garlic butter cream sauce. Every bite delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients that come together in one skillet. The seafood is lightly seasoned and pan-seared until golden, then coated in a creamy sauce made with butter, garlic, Parmesan, herbs, and a touch of lemon for freshness. This dish is perfect for date nights, special dinners, holidays, or whenever you want a quick meal that feels elegant and impressive. Serve it with crusty bread, pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables to soak up every drop of the delicious sauce.

Ingredients For the Seafood

• 1½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ lb sea scallops, cleaned and patted dry
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth or seafood broth
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• ½ tsp black pepper

For Finishing

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Lemon wedges for serving
• Extra Parmesan cheese, optional

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the seafood. Pat the shrimp and scallops completely dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps them develop a beautiful golden sear.
2. Season the shrimp and scallops with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Toss gently until evenly coated.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
4. Once the skillet is hot, add the scallops in a single layer.
5. Sear the scallops for approximately 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Avoid moving them too much while cooking so they develop a crust.
6. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
7. Add the shrimp to the same skillet.
8. Cook the shrimp for approximately 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
9. Remove the shrimp and set aside with the scallops.
10. Reduce the heat to medium.
11. Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt.
12. Add minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds, stirring constantly until fragrant. Do not allow the garlic to burn.
13. Pour in chicken broth or seafood broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to release all the flavorful browned bits.
14. Add heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
15. Stir gently and allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
16. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the creamy sauce.
17. Return the cooked shrimp and scallops to the skillet.
18. Gently toss the seafood in the sauce until completely coated.
19. Simmer for another 1–2 minutes just to warm everything together.
20. Finish with fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
21. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
22. Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy.
23. Garnish with extra Parmesan, parsley, and lemon wedges.

Tips

• Always pat seafood dry before cooking. Wet seafood steams instead of searing.
• Avoid overcooking shrimp because they become rubbery quickly.
• Scallops should have a golden crust for the best flavor and texture.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan because it melts smoothly into the cream sauce.
• Cook seafood separately before making the sauce to prevent overcooking.
• Add extra garlic for a stronger garlic butter flavor.
• For a spicy version, increase crushed red pepper flakes or add chili oil.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of seafood broth or cream.
• Use fresh lemon juice at the end to balance the richness of the butter and cream.

Notes

This creamy seafood skillet is extremely versatile and pairs beautifully with many sides. Serve it over linguine, angel hair pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, or crusty garlic bread. The sauce is rich and flavorful, making bread especially perfect for dipping. For a lighter meal, serve alongside roasted asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, or a fresh Mediterranean salad.
For meal preparation, cook the sauce separately and add freshly cooked seafood when ready to serve. Seafood is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp and scallops.

Q&A

Can I use only shrimp instead of mixed seafood?
Yes. Replace scallops with additional shrimp or another seafood such as crab meat or salmon pieces.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw completely, remove excess water, and pat dry before seasoning.
Can I make this without heavy cream?
Yes. Half-and-half can be used, but the sauce will be slightly lighter and thinner.
What other seafood works well in this recipe?
Lobster pieces, crab, mussels, clams, or chunks of white fish can all work beautifully.
How do I prevent shrimp from becoming tough?
Cook shrimp only until they turn pink and curl into a loose “C” shape. Overcooking creates a rubbery texture.
Can I make this spicy?
Absolutely. Add extra red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a drizzle of spicy chili oil.

Servings

Makes approximately 4 servings

Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving)

• Calories: 520
• Protein: 42g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 21g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Cholesterol: 290mg
• Potassium: 520mg
  Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on seafood type, cream, cheese, and portion size.