Creamy Lemon Garlic Shrimp And Asparagus: 20-Min Dinner
A quick, elegant, and light weeknight dinner featuring seared shrimp and crisp-tender asparagus in a rich, velvety lemon garlic sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs Jumbo or Large Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on or off)
- 1 bunch Asparagus (medium thickness)
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter (divided)
- 4–5 cloves Garlic (fresh, minced)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Lemons (juice and zest)
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth (low-sodium)
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Wash asparagus and snap off the tough woody ends. Peel lower halves if spears are thick.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of butter. Sauté asparagus for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Remove asparagus and set aside with shrimp.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Return shrimp and asparagus to the pan. Toss to coat and heat through for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest and fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when searing shrimp to ensure a good crust. Pat shrimp dry thoroughly to prevent steaming. Do not overcook shrimp or they will become rubbery. The sauce thickens as it cools, so serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently in a skillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: shrimp, asparagus, lemon garlic, creamy sauce, quick dinner, weeknight meal, seafood, 20 minute dinner, easy recipe