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Spicy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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4.4 from 13 reviews

This Spicy Shrimp Scampi is a vibrant and flavorful seafood dish featuring jumbo shrimp marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and Calabrian chili paste, then pan-seared to perfection. The shrimp are tossed in a garlicky white wine sauce infused with lemon juice and Calabrian chilies, finished with butter and fresh parsley. Served with warm crusty bread, this dish is perfect for a quick, elegant meal with a fiery kick.

Ingredients

Shrimp and Marinade

  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp (21/30 count, peeled and deveined)
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lemon, grated zest
  • 1 Tbsp Calabrian chili pepper paste (plus 1 tsp for sauce)

Sauce

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp Calabrian chili pepper paste
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 Tbsp salted butter
  • 2 Tbsp chopped parsley

Serving

  • 1 loaf warm crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Marinate the shrimp: In a large bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of Calabrian chili pepper paste. Stir well to coat the shrimp thoroughly and let it sit for 15 minutes to enhance flavor.
  2. Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat; no additional oil is needed due to the marinade’s olive oil.
  3. Cook shrimp in batches: Add a batch of shrimp in a single layer to the hot skillet. Cook for about 1 minute per side until shrimp get a good sear and color around edges. Remove shrimp to a plate and repeat with remaining shrimp.
  4. Sauté garlic: Add the thinly sliced garlic to the empty skillet and stir quickly for about 30 seconds to avoid burning, releasing its aroma.
  5. Deglaze and make sauce: Pour in the dry white wine slowly while stirring and scraping the skillet’s bottom to loosen browned bits. Add lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste, a pinch of kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir and let the sauce simmer and reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Finish the dish: Turn off the heat and return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Create a space in the pan’s center and add the salted butter. Stir gently as the butter melts, tossing the shrimp to coat them evenly in the flavorful sauce.
  7. Add parsley and serve: Stir in chopped parsley, then serve the spicy shrimp scampi immediately with chunks of warm crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Notes

  • Use peeled and deveined shrimp for quick and even cooking.
  • Calabrian chili paste can be substituted with any spicy chili paste if unavailable.
  • Make sure not to overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long.
  • The crusty bread is essential for enjoying the delicious sauce—consider using a baguette or ciabatta.
  • For a less spicy version, reduce the amount of Calabrian chili paste.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/spicy-shrimp-scampi-recipe/