Easy Healthy Lemon Garlic Shrimp (Print Version)

Zesty lemon garlic shrimp served atop brown rice with crisp vegetables for a vibrant meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon

→ Rice & Vegetables

08 - 2 cups cooked brown rice
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
11 - 1 avocado, diced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

→ Garnish & Sauce

13 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
14 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make:

01 - Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and half the lemon juice. Toss until evenly coated.
02 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque throughout. Transfer to a plate and drizzle with remaining lemon juice.
03 - While shrimp cooks, divide cooked brown rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Top each bowl with cherry tomato halves, diced cucumber, diced avocado, and fresh parsley or cilantro.
04 - Arrange hot shrimp over each prepared bowl. Drizzle lightly with Greek yogurt if desired and serve with fresh lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, which means dinner can actually happen on a busy weeknight.
  • The shrimp gets this gorgeous caramelized edge while staying tender, and the lemon cuts through everything perfectly.
  • You can prep the vegetables ahead, so assembly becomes almost meditative.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the shrimp—wet shrimp won't get that caramelized crust that makes them taste restaurant-quality.
  • Lemon juice added at the end is different from lemon juice cooked with the shrimp; the final squeeze brings a sharp, fresh note that makes the whole bowl feel alive.
03 -
  • Buy shrimp from the seafood counter if you can, and ask them to peel and devein while you wait—it saves time and they do it better than you will.
  • If your skillet isn't nonstick, use a bit more oil and heat it until it shimmers; this prevents sticking and helps create that golden sear.
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