Quick Zesty Irish Appetizers Shrimp Skillet
A quick and easy shrimp skillet recipe with a zesty Irish twist, featuring garlic, lemon, smoked paprika, and a creamy sauce. Perfect for entertaining or a flavorful snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (60 ml) or coconut cream for dairy-free
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water, then pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking.
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and slightly browned. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium, add butter if using, then toss in minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika and red pepper flakes into the skillet, stirring to combine with garlic.
- Add lemon zest and lemon juice, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift browned bits.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Add shrimp back to the skillet, toss to coat evenly with the sauce, and warm through for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately, ideally with crusty bread or over a bed of greens.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to get a good sear. Do not overcook shrimp to avoid toughness. Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth. Butter is optional for extra richness. Substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream for dairy-free. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 ounc
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp skillet, Irish appetizers, quick shrimp recipe, zesty shrimp, garlic shrimp, smoked paprika, lemon shrimp, easy entertaining