Description

This recipe features plump, tender shrimp quickly boiled and coated in a bright, zesty, and subtly spicy Chili-Orange Butter Gloss, perfect for a fast and flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on or off
0.5 cup unsalted butter
Zest from 1 medium orange
Juice from 1 medium orange
0.5 tsp red chili flakes (or 1 fresh minced chili)
2 cloves garlic, minced
0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp salt, plus to taste
0.5 tsp black pepper, plus to taste
1 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning

Instructions

Prepare Boiling Water: Fill a large 10-inch stockpot with about 8 cups of water. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning.
Boil Shrimp: Add the prepared shrimp to the vigorously boiling water. Cook for just 2 to 3 minutes, until they turn from gray to a vibrant pink and become opaque. (Do not cook longer than 3 minutes to avoid rubbery texture.)
Ice Bath: Immediately use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked shrimp into a large bowl filled with ice water. Let them cool for 2 to 3 minutes until chilled to the touch.
Make Chili-Orange Butter Gloss: While your shrimp are cooling, melt 0.5 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in red chili flakes, fresh orange zest, and orange juice. Let it gently simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
Combine and Serve: Drain the chilled shrimp very well, patting them lightly if needed. Transfer them to a serving bowl, pour the warm Chili-Orange Butter Gloss over them, and toss gently until every shrimp glistens. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, use a good quality olive oil instead of butter. If you do not have Old Bay seasoning, a mix of paprika, celery salt, and dry mustard can work as a substitute. Avoiding overcooking is key for tender shrimp. (An ice bath is recommended to halt the cooking process.) Consider making a double batch of the gloss for dipping crusty bread.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 4 oz (113 g) shrimp with gloss
Calories: 275 calories
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 23 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 170 mg

Keywords: easy dinner, boiled shrimp, chili-orange, butter gloss, weeknight meal, seafood, quick recipe, high-protein, Old Bay