Name: 20-Minute Shrimp Piccata Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 3 Mains (or 6 Sides)
Ingredients: 3/4 lb large (e.g. 16-20) shrimp, peeled and deveined ((400 grams) ); 1 tbsp flour; pinch salt and pepper; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp minced garlic ((2 cloves)); zest from 1 large lemon; juice from half large lemon; 2 tbsp capers, rinsed; 1/4 cup white wine; 3/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth; 2 tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces ((or less if preferred)); 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

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Lemony, garlicky, buttery Shrimp Piccata can be on the table in 20 minutes. Serve over rice or pasta, or as an appetizer straight from the skillet. It’s a delicious classic.

Actually, Chicken Piccata is probably the more common version, but this recipe is pretty much the same except for the shrimp. Lemon, capers, garlic, wine, broth, butter and parsley come together in flavorful tangy sauce that coats the plump shrimp.

Some people – and you know who you are – would prefer to skip the extra butter in the final step. Try to restrain yourself. The butter creates a velvety smooth, slightly thickened sauce and adds a beautiful richness to the sauce. If you are really wary of the butter, just add a bit less.

Tips on How To Make Shrimp Picatta

Have everything ready to go before you start cooking as the process is quick.
Use large shrimp so they don’t overcook. I try to use 16-20 count which means 16-20 shrimp per pound.
Pat the shrimp dry and toss with a light coating of flour to avoid them steaming in the pan instead of frying.
Make sure the butter is cold when you whisk it into sauce at the end to avoid any greasiness.
Add the parsley at the very end to keep its vibrant green colour. (I made the mistake of adding it earlier the first time I tested this recipe).
If you prefer more sauce that is slightly thinner, just add more broth and/or reduce the cooking time a bit.

Tailor To Your Taste

You can replace the wine with additional broth if you prefer.
Add more or less lemon, garlic, capers, salt.
I love serving this dish with soft warmed dinner rolls to sop up the yummy juices. Otherwise, serve over rice, pasta or quinoa.

Shortcut

Buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp

Make Ahead

Shrimp Piccata is best made fresh. You can, however, have all the ingredients prepped which will cut the time by half. And, you can even get it down to just 5 minutes of cooking and assembly before serving by sauteing the shrimp ahead of time.

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