If you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Combining tender, juicy shrimp enveloped in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with fluffy, herb-infused rice, it delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough to impress guests, making it a delightful meal to share with family or friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating a balanced and irresistible dish. From the creamy Parmesan sauce to the fragrant herbs in the rice, each component is carefully selected to build layers of flavor and pleasing textures.
- Large shrimp (1 lb): Peeled and deveined for quick cooking and easy eating.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Divided use, crucial for that rich, silky sauce and for sautéing.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Provides a bright, aromatic backbone to the buttery sauce.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Adds luxurious creaminess to the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup, grated): Delivers nutty, savory depth and helps thicken the sauce.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all flavors.
- Long grain white rice (1 cup): The perfect fluffy base to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Chicken broth (2 cups): Used to cook the rice, infusing it with extra flavor.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): Adds freshness and a pop of green color.
- Fresh thyme (1 tablespoon, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried): Gives the herb rice an earthy, aromatic note.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Used to toast the rice, creating a subtle nuttiness.
- Juice of 1/2 lemon: Brightens and balances the creaminess at the end.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe
Step 1: Toast and cook the herb rice
Start by warming the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the rice and toast it for about two minutes. This step enhances the rice’s natural nuttiness and prevents it from becoming mushy. Pour in the chicken broth, bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer gently for 15 to 18 minutes until tender and all the liquid is absorbed.
Step 2: Infuse the rice with herbs
Once the rice is cooked, stir in half of the chopped parsley and thyme to infuse it with fresh, earthy flavors. Fluff it gently with a fork to keep the grains separate and set it aside, keeping it warm for serving.
Step 3: Sauté the garlic and shrimp
In a large skillet, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about one minute, making sure it doesn’t brown too much. Next, add the shrimp seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook them for two to three minutes on each side until they turn that beautiful opaque pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside while you create the sauce.
Step 4: Make the creamy garlic butter sauce
Turn the heat down to low and add the remaining tablespoon of butter along with the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes luxuriously smooth and creamy. This rich sauce is what brings the entire dish together.
Step 5: Combine shrimp and sauce
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them gently to coat in the creamy sauce. Let everything simmer together for another one to two minutes so the shrimp soak up those delicious flavors.
Step 6: Add the finishing touch
Remove the skillet from the heat and drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the shrimp to add a perfect zing that cuts through the richness. Garnish with the remaining chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Step 7: Assemble the bowl
Spoon the warm herb rice into bowls and ladle the creamy garlic butter shrimp over the top. This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe shines best when the rice soaks up the sauce, creating each bite with bursts of buttery, garlicky goodness balanced by fresh herbs.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or chives not only brighten the presentation but elevate the dish’s flavors. A light sprinkle of red pepper flakes can also add a subtle heat that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce.
Side Dishes
Pairing this dish with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like asparagus or broccoli adds a wonderful texture contrast and balances the richness of the shrimp bowl.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual dinner, serve the shrimp and rice in rustic bowls with lemon wedges on the side. For a special occasion, try plating the shrimp atop molded herb rice using a ring mold to give the dish a fancy restaurant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover shrimp and herb rice in separate airtight containers to keep the textures ideal. Stored properly, they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Freezing
You can freeze the creamy garlic shrimp and rice, but it’s best done separately to avoid the rice getting too mushy. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to one month. Reheat gently to preserve the sauce’s creaminess.
Reheating
Reheat shrimp and rice on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving directly to keep the shrimp tender and the sauce fresh.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent extra water from diluting the sauce.
Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the butter with olive oil, replace heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
You can, but brown rice takes longer to cook and has a different texture. Adjust cooking times accordingly and consider using extra broth to keep it moist.
How can I add more vegetables to this dish?
Sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas tossed into the shrimp or rice add color and nutrition without overpowering the dish’s delicate flavors.
What wine pairs well with this Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe?
A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the creamy, garlicky flavors beautifully without overwhelming the shrimp.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe is a celebration of comforting flavors, fresh herbs, and silky textures that come together effortlessly. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a lively dinner, it promises a satisfying, memorable meal that everyone will love. Grab your ingredients and dive into this flavorful adventure — your taste buds will thank you!
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Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl with Herb Rice is a delightful and comforting dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter and Parmesan cream sauce, served over flavorful herb-infused rice. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe balances savory, creamy, and fresh herb flavors in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Herb Rice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the rice: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to lightly brown the grains and enhance flavor.
- Cook the rice: Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed.
- Finish the herb rice: Stir half of the chopped parsley and thyme into the cooked rice, fluff with a fork, and keep warm until serving.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare creamy sauce: Lower heat to low and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir in Parmesan cheese until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
- Combine shrimp and sauce: Return shrimp to the skillet, toss gently to coat in the sauce, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through.
- Finish with lemon and garnish: Remove skillet from heat, drizzle lemon juice over the shrimp, and sprinkle with the remaining parsley for a fresh, bright touch.
- Serve: Plate the creamy garlic butter shrimp over the herb rice bowls and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.
- Make sure to not overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and will become rubbery if left too long.
- Use fresh herbs when possible for best flavor, but dried thyme works well too.
- Leftover shrimp and rice can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, but avoid reheating shrimp too long.
