Are you ready to transform your ordinary weeknight dinner into a restaurant-worthy culinary experience? This Spicy Lemon Shrimp over Rice is not just a meal—it's a flavor explosion waiting to happen! In just 30 minutes, you'll create a mouthwatering dish that combines the succulent tenderness of perfectly cooked shrimp with a tantalizing kick of heat and bright citrus notes that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the ingredients. Ensure that the shrimp are peeled and deveined. Mince the garlic and set it aside. Squeeze the juice from one lemon into a small bowl, making sure to remove any seeds.
- In a medium saucepan, cook the rice according to package instructions if not already cooked. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the shrimp and season with salt to taste. Stir the shrimp to coat them evenly in the oil and spices.
- Cook the shrimp for about 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip them over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
- Once the shrimp are cooked, pour the lemon juice over them and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cook for another minute to let the flavors meld.
- To serve, divide the cooked rice among four plates. Spoon the spicy lemon shrimp mixture over the rice, ensuring to include some of the flavorful oil and garlic from the skillet.
- Garnish with additional lemon wedges or fresh herbs if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Shrimp Cooking Mastery: The key to tender shrimp is quick cooking. Watch for the color change from translucent to pink, which signals they're perfectly done.
- Garlic Alert: When sautéing garlic, keep the heat medium and watch carefully—burnt garlic turns bitter and can ruin the entire dish.
- Spice Level Control: Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your heat tolerance. Start with less and add more if you want an extra kick.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor. Bottled lemon juice can taste flat.
- Prevent Overcooking: Shrimp cook incredibly fast. The moment they turn pink and curl slightly, they're ready to come off the heat.
- Rice Preparation: For extra flavor, consider cooking your rice in chicken broth instead of water for added depth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 281kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 26g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 220mg
