Description
A quick, spicy, and flavorful blackened shrimp skillet that is ready in just 15 minutes. This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to create a restaurant-quality dish with a rich, spicy butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (680g) jumbo or extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (e.g., Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya Mama)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp in cold water for 10-15 minutes if necessary. Drain and pat the shrimp extremely dry with paper towels to ensure proper blackening.
- Toss the dried shrimp with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning in a bowl.
- Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until very hot (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add olive oil and butter to the hot pan. Swirl to combine and wait for the butter to foam slightly.
- Add shrimp in a single layer, ensuring not to crowd the pan. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until a black crust forms.
- Flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes until opaque and pink. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in white wine or chicken broth, scraping up the brown bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 minute to reduce slightly.
- Return shrimp to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes, and serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are completely dry before cooking to prevent steaming. Do not crowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Use smoked paprika for authentic flavor if making your own rub. Do not microwave leftovers as it makes shrimp rubbery; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of liquid.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: blackened shrimp, cajun shrimp, quick dinner, seafood skillet, 15 minute meals, spicy shrimp, easy seafood recipe