Featured in Comfort Dinners , Quick Lunch
Our Spicy Garlic Shrimp is a vibrant and addictive dish featuring plump, juicy shrimp pan-seared to perfection in a bold sauce of fresh garlic, red chili, and a hint of savory soy. Served atop a bed of fragrant, steaming jasmine rice, this meal strikes the perfect balance between heat, aroma, and comfort. It's an incredibly quick and easy recipe, delivering restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen any night of the week.
| recipesbybrad.comSpicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender shrimp cooked in a zesty garlic chili sauce served atop aromatic jasmine rice. This recipe brings together bold spices and fresh ingredients to create a quick meal perfect for any night of the week. Whether you are craving something spicy or want a simple seafood dinner that packs a punch, this dish delivers satisfying taste with minimal effort.
Use 1 pound of medium-sized raw shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh or frozen shrimp works well; just thaw if frozen. Shrimp cooks quickly and absorbs flavors easily, making it ideal for this spicy garlic preparation.
You need 4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced finely. Garlic adds essential pungency and depth to the sauce while complementing the heat from chili flakes perfectly.
Add 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes. This ingredient provides moderate heat that balances the savory garlic without overpowering the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
Use 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce to season the dish. It introduces umami richness while keeping saltiness controlled so flavors blend harmoniously.
Include 1 tablespoon of honey for subtle sweetness. This helps balance the spice from chili flakes and enhances caramelization during cooking.
Squeeze 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice into the sauce before serving. The acidity brightens flavors and adds a refreshing contrast to the rich garlic shrimp.
Prepare 2 cups of cooked jasmine rice. Its fragrant aroma and slightly sticky texture make it a perfect base that complements the spicy garlicky shrimp topping.
Use 2 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing. It provides a smooth cooking medium that lets garlic release its flavor evenly without burning.
Chop about 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro leaves for garnish. Cilantro adds a fresh herbal note that lifts the dish visually and flavor-wise.
Recipe preparation step
Start by rinsing 1 cup of jasmine rice under cold water until it runs clear to remove excess starch. Combine rinsed rice with 1½ cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat then reduce to low simmer, cover tightly and cook for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed fully. Remove from heat and let it steam covered for an additional 10 minutes to achieve fluffy texture.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for about one minute until fragrant but not brown. Stir in 1 teaspoon red chili flakes immediately after garlic softens to prevent burning while releasing spice evenly into oil.
Add peeled shrimp (about 1 pound) directly into skillet with garlic-chili mixture in a single layer without crowding them. Cook undisturbed for roughly two minutes until pink edges appear then flip each piece carefully using tongs to cook other side another two minutes or until opaque throughout but still tender inside.
After shrimp is cooked through, pour in 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce along with 1 tablespoon honey into pan stirring gently so everything coats evenly without breaking up shrimp pieces. Let mixture bubble lightly for one more minute allowing sauce to thicken slightly while balancing sweet-spicy notes.
Remove skillet from heat then squeeze juice from one lime (approximately 1 tablespoon) directly onto hot shrimp mixture tossing quickly so acidity brightens overall flavor profile without cooking lime juice down too much. Finish by sprinkling chopped cilantro over top if desired before serving immediately alongside warm jasmine rice.
Serve your spicy garlic shrimp hot right off the stove paired generously over steamed jasmine rice on each plate for full enjoyment of contrasting textures—the juicy spicy shrimp against soft fragrant grains creates comforting harmony perfect for lunch or dinner occasions.
Place any leftover spicy garlic shrimp in an airtight container once cooled completely to room temperature. Refrigerate promptly where it will keep well up to two days maintaining freshness but best consumed sooner due to seafood’s delicate nature.
To reheat leftovers without drying out shrimp, warm gently in a skillet over low heat adding splash of water or broth if needed to restore moisture while stirring occasionally until heated through fully but still tender not rubbery.
Although fresh taste is preferred, you can freeze cooked spicy garlic shrimp wrapped tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers up to one month; thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating following above instructions carefully preserving texture as much as possible. Enjoy this quick-to-make yet deeply flavorful Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice anytime you crave an easy meal bursting with taste!## Mistakes to avoid
One common mistake when preparing Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly and become rubbery if left on heat too long. To avoid this, cook them just until they turn pink and opaque, usually about 2-3 minutes per side. Overcooked shrimp lose their delicate texture and flavor, which can ruin the dish’s overall appeal.
Another error is not properly seasoning the jasmine rice. Plain rice can make the dish feel incomplete or bland. Adding a pinch of salt while cooking or infusing the rice with garlic or herbs can bring out a complementary flavor that enhances the spicy garlic shrimp. Skipping this step misses an opportunity to balance flavors in the meal.
Using too much oil or garlic in the shrimp sauce can overpower the dish's delicate taste. Garlic should be fragrant but not burnt, and oils should be used moderately to keep the sauce from becoming greasy. Excessive spice levels without balance might overwhelm those who prefer milder flavors, so adjusting chili amounts carefully is key.
Failing to drain excess water from jasmine rice before serving leads to soggy texture that detracts from the dish’s quality. Properly fluffing and allowing rice to rest after cooking ensures it remains light and fluffy, offering a perfect base for spicy garlic shrimp. Ignoring these details affects both texture and presentation negatively.
Skipping fresh herbs or garnishes like cilantro or green onions reduces visual appeal and freshness in Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice. These ingredients add brightness and contrast that lift the entire plate. Neglecting such finishing touches results in a less vibrant dish that feels one-dimensional.
To get perfectly cooked Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice, always start by prepping all your ingredients first. Having peeled and deveined shrimp ready along with minced garlic, chopped chilies, and cooked jasmine rice allows you to focus on quick cooking without rushing. This mise en place method prevents overcooking shrimp because you won’t be distracted looking for items mid-recipe.
Use medium-high heat when sautéing the shrimp but keep an eye on them constantly. This heat level helps achieve a nice sear while maintaining a juicy interior. Stirring frequently but gently ensures even cooking without breaking up the delicate shrimp pieces or burning garlic, which should only turn golden brown for best flavor.
When cooking jasmine rice, rinse it under cold water until clear to remove excess starch that makes it sticky. Cook it with slightly less water than usual (about 1:1 ratio) for fluffier grains that hold up well beneath saucy shrimp. Once done, let rice sit covered off heat for 5-10 minutes before fluffing with a fork—this resting improves texture significantly.
Balancing spice levels in your sauce is essential for broad appeal. Try adding fresh chili peppers gradually during cooking rather than all at once, tasting as you go. You can also include a splash of lime juice or sugar at the end to round out heat with acidity or sweetness if needed, making your Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice more complex and enjoyable.
For added depth of flavor, consider briefly marinating your shrimp in a mixture of minced garlic, chili flakes, lemon juice, and a dash of soy sauce before cooking. This step infuses layers of taste that complement the jasmine rice beautifully while tenderizing the shrimp slightly—just don’t marinate longer than 20 minutes to avoid mushiness.
Pair this dish with a crisp cucumber salad dressed lightly with rice vinegar and sesame oil to add refreshing contrast to spicy garlic shrimp over jasmine rice. The coolness balances heat while introducing crunchiness that complements soft textures.
Experiment using different types of chili peppers based on your preferred spice intensity; jalapeños provide moderate heat while bird’s eye chilies deliver more kick without masking garlic flavor in Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice.
Consider garnishing with toasted sesame seeds or freshly chopped cilantro for extra aroma and subtle nutty notes that enhance every bite of this flavorful meal without overwhelming its core ingredients.
Try swapping jasmine rice for cauliflower rice if you want to reduce carbs but keep similar texture under spicy garlic shrimp topping. This substitution keeps meals lighter yet satisfying for those watching dietary intake.
Serve Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice alongside steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas to add color diversity and nutritional value, rounding out this simple yet delicious dinner option effectively.
To avoid rubbery shrimp, cook them briefly until they turn pink and opaque—typically 2-3 minutes per side depending on size. Overcooking causes tough texture as proteins tighten excessively. Using high heat for quick searing helps lock moisture inside while preventing dryness in your spicy garlic shrimp dish served over jasmine rice.
While you can prepare components like cooked jasmine rice or pre-marinated shrimp ahead, it’s best to cook shrimp just before serving to maintain freshness and tenderness. Reheating cooked shrimp often results in chewiness which diminishes enjoyment of this spicy garlic-based recipe paired with fluffy rice.
Bird’s eye chilies are traditional choices offering intense heat without overpowering other flavors such as garlic in this recipe. If you prefer milder spice, jalapeños or serrano peppers work well too—they provide balanced warmth suited for most palates enjoying spicy garlic shrimp served atop fragrant jasmine rice.
Rinse jasmine rice thoroughly before cooking to remove extra starch that contributes to stickiness. Use slightly less water than usual (about equal parts water-to-rice) during boiling then let it rest covered off heat for 5-10 minutes after cooking before fluffing gently with fork—this process ensures lightness beneath flavorful spicy garlic shrimp topping.
Cauliflower rice makes an excellent low-carb alternative providing similar grain-like texture beneath spicy garlic shrimp without added carbohydrates found in traditional jasmine rice dishes. Another option is brown basmati which offers nuttier flavor though changes original profile slightly but pairs nicely with robust seasonings used here.
Start by adding fresh chili peppers sparingly during cooking then adjust according to taste preference—this gradual method prevents overpowering heat masked by strong garlic flavors present throughout recipe components including jasmine rice base helping balance taste perfectly every time.
Spicy Garlic Shrimp over Jasmine Rice is a quick yet flavorful dish that demands attention to detail during preparation. Avoid common mistakes like overcooking shrimp or neglecting proper seasoning of jasmine rice to maintain ideal textures and balanced tastes. Follow tips such as rinsing rice well and controlling chili amounts carefully for an enjoyable meal adaptable to various spice preferences. Simple enhancements like fresh herbs or complementary sides elevate this classic combination into a satisfying dinner option perfect any night of the week.