Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport you straight to the vibrant coastal kitchens of Spain with this mouthwatering Garlic Chili Shrimp Gambas Pil Pil! In just 20 minutes, you'll create a dish so irresistibly delicious that it will become your new go-to recipe for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to a restaurant-quality meal at home. The perfect balance of spicy chili, aromatic garlic, and succulent shrimp makes this dish a true flavor explosion that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Spanish
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by peeling and deveining the shrimp, mincing the garlic cloves, and chopping fresh parsley for garnish.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they will sear properly and not release excess moisture during cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering but not smoking.
- Add minced garlic and red chili flakes to the hot oil, stirring quickly to prevent garlic from burning. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Carefully add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This allows them to sear and caramelize properly.
- Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and develop a slight golden color. They should be just opaque in the center.
- Season with salt to taste, tossing the shrimp to evenly distribute the seasoning and garlic-chili oil.
- Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking, which can make shrimp tough and rubbery.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot, preferably with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful oil.
Tips
- Pat the shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan for the best heat distribution and caramelization.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - cook shrimp in a single layer to achieve that beautiful golden color.
- Watch the garlic carefully and remove from heat quickly to prevent burning, which can make the dish bitter.
- Serve immediately while hot and consider having crusty bread on hand to soak up the delicious garlic-chili oil.
- For an extra flavor boost, use fresh, high-quality olive oil and freshly minced garlic.
- Adjust the red chili flakes to control the heat level - start with less and add more to taste.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 220mg
