Creamy Garlic Seafood Skillet
Introduction (short):
This Creamy Garlic Seafood Skillet features tender white fish and succulent shrimp simmered in a rich, buttery garlic sauce. It’s a quick, elegant dish that brings bistro-style flavors to your home in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
Seafood:
1 lb (450 g) firm white fish, such as cod, halibut, or tilapia, cut into chunks
1/2 lb (225 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on for presentation
For the Sauce:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, roughly chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
Season the Seafood:
Pat fish and shrimp dry with paper towels.
Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
Sear the Fish:
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear fish chunks 2–3 minutes per side until golden and just cooked.
Remove and set aside.
Cook the Shrimp:
Sear shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
Remove and set aside with fish.
Create the Sauce:
Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter and sauté garlic 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in white wine or broth, scraping up browned bits.
Simmer and Thicken:
Add heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer.
Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce slightly thickens.
Combine:
Return fish and shrimp to skillet, spoon sauce over them.
Heat through 1 minute.
How to Make:
Avoid overcrowding the pan during searing to achieve a golden crust.
Arrange seafood neatly in the sauce when returning it to the pan.
Garnish with chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Variations:
Zesty Lemon: Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon zest to the sauce.
Spinach and Tomato: Stir in baby spinach and halved cherry tomatoes in the last 2 minutes of simmering.
Spicy Seafood: Add 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes to the garlic butter for heat.
Scallop Addition: Include sea scallops, searing them separately for a perfect crust.
Tips:
Pat seafood completely dry before cooking to avoid watery sauce.
Do not overcook seafood; remove once opaque.
Adjust sauce thickness by adding broth (too thick) or simmering slightly longer (too thin).
Use crisp, dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Conclusion (short):
The Creamy Garlic Seafood Skillet is a decadent, one-pan gourmet meal with buttery garlic flavor and perfectly cooked seafood. Ideal for serving over pasta, with crusty bread, or alongside roasted vegetables.
