If you love shrimp with a rich, creamy sauce, this Cajun garlic shrimp might earn a regular spot on your dinner table. It’s warm, flavorful, and especially good spooned over fluffy rice, coming together in just 30 minutes for an easy, satisfying weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Cajun flavor. Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and a touch of red pepper flakes bring real depth.
- That creamy Parmesan sauce. Rich and smooth, it coats every piece of shrimp and pools nicely over the rice.
- Ready in 30 minutes. A comforting dinner that doesn’t take all evening.
- Simple, everyday ingredients. Nothing complicated, just big flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
How to Make Creamy Cajun Garlic Shrimp & Rice
1. Season the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry. Season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt until evenly coated.
2. Sear the shrimp. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and lightly browned. Remove the Cajun shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté the garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make the creamy Cajun sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Add the Parmesan. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and optional red pepper flakes. Continue stirring until the creamy Cajun garlic sauce is smooth and the cheese has melted.
6. Finish the shrimp. Return the shrimp to the skillet and gently coat each piece in the creamy sauce. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the garlic shrimp can soak up plenty of Cajun flavor.
7. Add the parsley. Stir in the fresh parsley and taste the creamy shrimp sauce. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
8. Serve over rice. Spoon the hot white rice into bowls and arrange the creamy Cajun shrimp around and over the rice. Spoon plenty of Cajun garlic sauce over everything and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Creamy Cajun Garlic Shrimp
- Don’t overcook the shrimp in the first sear. They’ll go back into the sauce briefly, so 2 to 3 minutes per side is enough.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce, since pre-shredded cheese can make it slightly grainy.
- Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. A hard boil can cause the cream to separate, so keep the heat moderate.
- Taste and adjust before serving. Cajun seasoning blends vary in saltiness, so check the seasoning at the end.
What to Serve with Creamy Cajun Garlic Shrimp & Rice
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but a simple steamed vegetable or a light green salad rounds things out nicely if you’d like something fresh on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear properly instead of releasing excess water.
Can I substitute the heavy cream?
Half-and-half can work in a pinch, though the sauce will be thinner and less rich than with heavy cream.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, simply omit the red pepper flakes and use a milder Cajun seasoning if you prefer less heat.
Creamy Cajun Garlic Shrimp & Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the shrimp dry. Season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt until evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and lightly browned. Remove the Cajun shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and optional red pepper flakes. Continue stirring until the creamy Cajun garlic sauce is smooth and the cheese has melted.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and gently coat each piece in the creamy sauce. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the garlic shrimp can soak up plenty of Cajun flavor.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and taste the creamy shrimp sauce. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
- Spoon the hot white rice into bowls and arrange the creamy Cajun shrimp around and over the rice. Spoon plenty of Cajun garlic sauce over everything and serve hot.