Looking for a quick, flavorful, and healthy dinner that’ll make everyone at the table happy? Meet your new go-to: Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Rice!
Picture this — tender shrimp bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce, served over fluffy broccoli rice. It’s light, satisfying, and bursting with bold flavor. The best part? It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal when time (and energy) are short.
Fun fact: Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood choices in America, loved for its mild flavor and versatility. Just like our crowd-pleasing Easy Lemon Garlic Pasta, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen — without the fuss or the price tag.
🍽️ What Is Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Rice?
Despite its fancy name, this dish is refreshingly simple! Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Rice combines juicy shrimp sautéed in garlic butter with nutritious broccoli rice — a wholesome twist that keeps it light and satisfying.
It’s the perfect balance of comfort and freshness, and the buttery garlic aroma will have everyone asking, “What’s cooking?”
As the saying goes, “the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach,” and this recipe is sure to win a few hearts — and clean plates!
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a lot to adore about this meal:
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Quick and Easy – Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Healthy Yet Indulgent – Butter and garlic bring the flavor; broccoli rice keeps it light.
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Budget-Friendly Gourmet – Skip the seafood restaurant and make it at home for a fraction of the cost.
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Naturally Gluten-Free & Low-Carb – Great for anyone looking for a wholesome, balanced dinner.
If you enjoyed the zesty kick of our Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken, you’ll love this garlicky, buttery twist on a seafood classic!
⏱️ Quick Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
🧄 Key Ingredients
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1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
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2 cups broccoli rice (fresh or frozen)
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4 tbsp unsalted butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp paprika
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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Juice of 1 lemon
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Broccoli Rice
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For fresh broccoli: pulse florets in a food processor until rice-like.
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For frozen: thaw and drain excess moisture.
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Sauté the Shrimp
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Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add shrimp, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Cook for 3–4 minutes, until pink and opaque.
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Add Garlic
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Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
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Add Broccoli Rice
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Push shrimp to one side and add broccoli rice to the other.
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Stir in remaining butter and cook for 3–5 minutes, until heated through.
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Finish with Lemon Juice
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Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything and toss to coat.
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Cook for another minute to blend the flavors.
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Serve & Garnish
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Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm!
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🥗 What to Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Rice
Complete your meal with any of these tasty pairings:
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A crisp green salad or simple coleslaw
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Garlic bread or crusty baguette for soaking up the sauce
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Roasted asparagus, zucchini, or green beans for extra veggies
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A refreshing sparkling water with lemon or chilled white wine
🔥 Top Tips for the Best Results
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Use Fresh Shrimp – It makes a big difference in flavor and texture.
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Don’t Overcook – Shrimp cook quickly; remove them as soon as they turn pink.
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Add a Kick – Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for gentle heat.
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Use Real Butter – For that rich, silky garlic sauce, butter is key!
🧊 Storing & Reheating
Got leftovers? Lucky you!
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Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
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Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
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Avoid Overheating: Shrimp can get rubbery if overcooked during reheating, so keep it gentle.
🌟 Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Rice is the ultimate combination of flavor, simplicity, and nutrition — everything you could want in a weeknight dinner!
It’s a meal that feels indulgent yet fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle. So grab your skillet, fire up that stove, and bring a touch of restaurant-worthy flavor to your table tonight.
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli Rice
Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined Fresh shrimp for best taste.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
For the broccoli rice
- 2 cups broccoli rice (fresh or frozen) If using fresh, pulse in a food processor. If frozen, thaw and drain.
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare the broccoli rice by pulsing fresh broccoli in a food processor until it resembles rice or thawing frozen broccoli rice.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the shrimp and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Push the shrimp to one side of the skillet and add the broccoli rice to the other side. Pour in the remaining butter and sauté until the broccoli is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and broccoli rice mixture. Toss everything together and cook for another minute to combine the flavors.
- Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
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