Healthy Shrimp Scampi that is loaded with protein and will be ready in 15 minutes! My family LOVED this and I bet your family will love this healthy shrimp scampi too.
It is actually funny how much my kids love shrimp (it's the first thing they order when we go eat at a restaurant) when I don't eat any seafood. I know, I am told I am missing out.
It's not because it's unhealthy, it's because I don't like it.
It's a texture thing for me. And yes, supposedly I've had super fresh shrimp and still didn't like it.
It took me several attempts to lighten up shrimp scampi into a healthy version and this one was a winner! My husband was disappointed there wasn't any left over.
I used to make this for one of our "fancy dinners" but the truth is that it's so easy to prepare, I can easily make healthy shrimp scampi on a busy weeknight. Just don't tell my family that so they can still be impressed.
They don't need to know.
If you are looking for some more healthy, easy to make dinner recipes, you will love this Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup, Low Carb Cheesy Pesto Stuffed Chicken and this Eggplant Parmesan. They would also pair perfectly with some Slow Cooker Mulled Wine, Cranberry Mojitos or some Spiked Apple Cider!
Why You Should Make This Healthy Shrimp Scampi
Keep frozen shrimp on hand so you can make this recipe whenever you want. You can go to your local fish store and pick up fresh shrimp, or just buy the frozen shrimp from Trader Joe's (or somewhere else reputable).
Spinach is optional in this recipe because my kids only like raw spinach (sigh...) Feel free to add it if you like cooked spinach, but you can easily leave it out.
Most healthy shrimp scampi recipes do not contain spinach.
It will be ready in only 15 minutes, but it's fancy enough to look like it took hours to prepare.
I left these tails on so it would look pretty for the pictures, but I always remove them before I serve. It just makes it easier to eat and cook.
It has a beautiful presentation so it's great for entertaining or when you have a date night in. Either way it will be impressive to your guests.
Recipe Tips
You can also substitute the pasta for zucchini, yellow squash or carrot "noodles" if you'd like to lighten it up and decrease your carbs. So many people love those as alternatives to noodles so go for it if it makes you happy.
With that being said, if spaghetti or pasta makes you happy, then use that! Just watch your portions because a portion of spaghetti is pretty small and it's easy to overindulge. Healthy shrimp scampi can be enjoyed with any type of noodle!
I always recommend measuring your food to avoid over-eating.
Which we all know is very, very easy to do with pasta. So many people would be shocked at how small a portion is.
A reader shared with me that she added some broccoli and peppers to the skillet when she made this healthy shrimp scampi because she wanted to use them up. I love it.
Related Recipes
Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli from Butter Your Biscuit
Gluten Free Caprese Shrimp Pasta from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw from Pinch of Yum
Low Carb Shrimp and Sausage Skillet from All Day I Dream About Food
Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!
Healthy Shrimp Scampi
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound cleaned, large deveined shrimp patted dry
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ pound gluten free pasta
- ½ cup parsley chopped
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups steamed baby spinach optional
Instructions
- Bring an 8- to 10-quart pot of salted water to boil.
- Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium high heat until it shimmers, then saute shrimp,turning once, until just cooked through, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer shrimp with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Add garlic, chicken broth and ¾ teaspoon each salt and pepper to skillet and bring to a boil, let it reduce to ½ cup.
- Add butter and stir until melted, then remove skillet from heat and stir in shrimp.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, about 6 minutes. Toss pasta in bowl with shrimp mixture, parsley and lemon zest.
- Squeeze lemon juice on top if desired. Place on top of steamed spinach.
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing shrimp scampi recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Rebecca {foodie with family}
This is so mega fantastic. My husband and boys will adore the shrimp!!
Kim Beaulieu
This looks positively delicious Lauren. I love that's it's so simple and quick too. Beautiful, healthy, quick and easy....this is a surefire hit. Love it.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I'm down for any meal that can be made in 15 minutes! My husband is always starving when he gets home from work at 5 and since we both don't get off work til then it makes it challenging to have something ready quickly when we get home. We love seafood here and shrimp is high on that list!!!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
My kids (and I!) would love this recipe. YUM. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
This is the most beautiful dish ever!! Those shrimp look perfect. Love the simple ingredients list.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
My husband loooooves shrimp scampi and this looks so delicious!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
Shrimp scampi is such a quick & easy dinner that feels like a restaurant meal. Definitely double the Recipe next time to keep the men-folk happy!
Stephanie
I love shrimp scampi and my whole family loves shrimp! Must make this 🙂
Martha @ A Family Feast
One of my favorite dishes of all-time - and you've made it guilt-free! Thank you! 🙂
Emily Lewis
I making this dish for dinner tonight. Will let you know how we like it. Can't wait. Thanks for the recipes. I'm going to make the Mexican casserole next week.
lauren.kelly
Hi Emily! That's my husband loves that shrimp scampi, I hope you like it too!
bobbiskozykitchen
Awesome awesome awesome!!! It's all I can say 🙂 thanks so much for sharing this on Manic Monday
LaurenKellyNutrition
My pleasure dear Bobbi! Have a great weekend 🙂
Michele
YAY! Scampi with no guilt! 🙂
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
This is fantastic Lauren! The perfect "Recipe Resuscitation," as I like to call it!
LaurenKellyNutrition
Thanks Sonali! I hope you like it 🙂 You are definitely the creative genius!!
Dee at Deelicious Sweets
I love that you lightened up shrimp scampi. It's what the hubs orders every time we go to Red Lobster. I can't stand it there as it's way to garlicy and I LOVE garlic. I'll have to try this recipe for sure. We are adding seafood in to our diet so I'm always looking for healthy recipes.
LaurenKellyNutrition
Let me know how you like it Dee!! 🙂