Velvety Lemon Dill Shrimp Scampi

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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If you’re looking for a dish that dances between simplicity and elegance, this Velvety Lemon Dill Shrimp Scampi is exactly what you need. It’s a delightful twist on a classic, with a creamy sauce and fresh dill bringing a bright, herbal note.

Ingredients for Velvety Lemon Dill Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp are the star of the show, offering a tender, succulent bite that pairs well with the sauce. Make sure they're peeled and deveined to save time.

Linguine serves as the perfect base, capturing the sauce in its strands. It provides a satisfying chewiness to the dish.

Butter adds richness and helps to sauté the garlic, enhancing the overall flavor.

Olive oil is used alongside butter for sautéing, preventing the butter from burning and adding a slight fruitiness.

Garlic lends a deep, aromatic base to the sauce, its flavor mellowed by cooking.

Heavy cream creates that luscious, velvety texture that coats every bite of pasta.

Chicken broth adds depth and a subtle savory note, balancing the richness of the cream.

Lemon juice brings a bright, tangy contrast that cuts through the creaminess beautifully.

Dill imparts a fresh, herbal aroma that lifts the dish, complementing both the lemon and shrimp.

Parmesan cheese provides a nutty, salty finish, enhancing the dish's overall flavor profile.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor—bottled juice just doesn’t cut it here.
  • Don't overcook the shrimp; they turn rubbery when overdone.
  • If your sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  • For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp, chilled white wine—something like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad or some steamed asparagus. A crusty baguette would also be perfect for mopping up the extra sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking.
Can I substitute the heavy cream?
For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for chicken broth?
Vegetable broth works well as an alternative if you want to keep it non-alcoholic.

Velvety Lemon Dill Shrimp Scampi Recipe Walkthrough

Start by cooking the linguine according to package instructions. You want it al dente, so it retains its shape and texture when tossed with the sauce. Once it's done, drain it and set it aside. Meanwhile, get your skillet ready.

In a large skillet, heat up the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, throw in the minced garlic. You’ll want to sauté it for about a minute until it becomes fragrant. Don’t let it burn!

Add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they’re pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set them aside, but keep that skillet handy.

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Stir it all together and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes.

Once the sauce is ready, return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the chopped dill. Toss everything to coat the shrimp in that luscious sauce.

Now, bring back the linguine. Add it to the skillet and gently toss everything to combine. Let it all cook together for another 2 minutes until it's heated through.

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Garnish with some lemon zest and extra dill if you like. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
  • The creamy lemon dill sauce is a refreshing change from traditional scampi.
  • Perfect balance of flavors with just the right amount of zest and creaminess.
  • Uses everyday ingredients but delivers restaurant-quality taste.

Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz linguine
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp dill, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Lemon zest for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp is pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream. Stir and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and add the chopped dill. Toss to coat the shrimp in the sauce.
6. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and gently toss to combine all ingredients. Cook for another 2 minutes until heated through.
7. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Garnish with lemon zest and additional dill if desired.
8. Serve immediately.

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