Craving a restaurant-quality meal that won't derail your health goals? Prepare to be amazed by this mouthwatering Skinny Shrimp Scampi that transforms the classic indulgent dish into a light, nutritious masterpiece! By swapping traditional pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles and keeping the flavor intensity at maximum, this recipe proves that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious. Get ready to impress your taste buds and your fitness tracker with this game-changing culinary creation that takes just 25 minutes from start to finish!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Zucchini, spiralized
- Garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley, chopped
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they will sear properly and not release excess moisture.
- Spiralize zucchini using a spiralizer, creating long, thin noodle-like strands. Place zucchini noodles on a clean kitchen towel and gently pat to remove excess moisture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The pan should be hot but not smoking.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the hot oil, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and become slightly curled.
- Remove cooked shrimp from the pan and set aside on a plate to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing gently to prevent overcooking. They should remain slightly crisp.
- Return shrimp to the skillet, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, tossing everything together quickly to combine flavors.
- Serve immediately in warm bowls, ensuring the zucchini noodles remain al dente and shrimp are hot and succulent.
Tips
- Moisture is the Enemy: Always pat shrimp and zucchini noodles completely dry to achieve that perfect sear and prevent soggy results.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook shrimp in a single layer to ensure even cooking and beautiful caramelization.
- Timing is Critical: Zucchini noodles cook quickly - aim for just 2-3 minutes to keep them crisp and prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh garlic and squeeze real lemon juice for the most vibrant flavor profile.
- Temperature Control: Keep your skillet at medium-high heat to get a nice sear on the shrimp without burning the garlic.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh, so have your serving plates ready before you start cooking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 287kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 220mg
