Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels—this is crucial for getting a good sear! Moisture is the enemy of a nice crust. Season the dried shrimp lightly with salt and black pepper on both sides. Set aside while you prepare other ingredients. If your shrimp still have tails, you can leave them on for presentation or remove them for easier eating.

Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients

Mince the garlic finely and have it ready near your stove. Measure out all your spices, lemon juice, and wine. Once cooking begins, things move fast with shrimp, so having everything prepped and within reach is important. Chop your fresh parsley. This “mise en place” (everything in its place) makes cooking smooth and stress-free.

Step 3: Heat the Pan

Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let the butter melt and foam. The combination of butter and oil gives you the rich butter flavor while preventing burning. The pan is ready when the butter is bubbling and fragrant but not brown.

Step 4: Sear the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the hot pan in a single layer—don’t crowd them or they’ll steam instead of sear. You may need to work in batches depending on your pan size. Cook for 1-2 minutes without moving them so they develop a nice golden crust on the bottom. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes on the other side until they’re pink and just cooked through. Shrimp are done when they form a “C” shape (not a tight “O” which means overcooked). Remove cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.

Step 5: Make the Spicy Garlic Sauce

Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant—be careful not to burn the garlic! It should be golden and aromatic, not brown. Add the paprika and stir for another 10 seconds.

Step 6: Deglaze and Build Flavor

Pour in the white wine (or broth) and lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spatula—that’s pure flavor! Let the sauce simmer and reduce slightly for about 1-2 minutes. It should thicken just a bit and smell absolutely amazing. Add lemon zest if using.

Step 7: Combine and Finish

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with any accumulated juices from the plate. Toss everything together, coating the shrimp in the spicy garlic sauce for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until the shrimp are heated through and coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Remove from heat immediately—you don’t want to overcook the shrimp! Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges on the side. Provide crusty bread for soaking up that incredible sauce, or serve over your choice of rice, pasta, or vegetables. Enjoy immediately while hot!