Get ready to fall in love with dinner all over again: Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi is the ultimate fusion of bold flavors, buttery comfort, and just the right amount of spicy heat. This dish takes the classic shrimp scampi you know and gives it a vibrant upgrade, thanks to the irresistible buzz of chili crisp. Each bite features juicy, garlicky shrimp tossed with golden noodles, a luxurious spicy-butter sauce, fresh herbs, and a splash of lemon. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a showstopping pasta that tastes gourmet but feels totally doable for any night of the week—no fancy skills required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi is how a handful of thoughtfully chosen ingredients can come together and create fireworks. Each element here does something special—bringing the right kind of heat, tang, richness, or freshness, ensuring every forkful is balanced and crave-worthy.
- Large shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined): The stars of the show—plump, sweet, and quick-cooking.
- Linguine or spaghetti (8 ounces): Long pasta soaks up every bit of luscious, spicy sauce.
- Chili crisp (3 tablespoons, with oil and solids): Delivers both crispy, garlicky crunch and a perfect punch of heat.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Adds silky richness that mellows and melds with the chili oil.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Packs the dish with its classic backbone of deep, mellow flavor.
- Red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): For extra heat-lovers who want even more fire.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Pulls all the flavors forward without overpowering the delicate shrimp.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Gives a gentle warmth that goes beautifully with the chili oil.
- Dry white wine or chicken broth (1/3 cup): Adds depth, brightness, and helps make a glossy sauce.
- Lemon (juice of 1): A pop of acidity that wakes up every other flavor on the plate.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): Sprinkled at the end for color and herbaceous lift.
- Lemon wedges for serving: Because a little extra squeeze right before eating makes this dish sing.
How to Make Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil and cook your linguine or spaghetti until just al dente. Reserve half a cup of cooking water before draining—this starchy liquid is magical for helping the sauce stick to your noodles. Drain the pasta and set it aside, keeping it close so it’s ready to meet its spicy destiny in the next steps.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Heat the Oil
While your pasta cooks, start building a flavor-packed base. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of chili crisp (make sure you get some of both the oil and the crunchy solids) and 1 tablespoon of butter. Toss in the minced garlic and, if you love extra heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Stir for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic goes fragrant and everything smells amazing—but not so long that the garlic browns.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and black pepper, and spread them out in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, flipping once, until the shrimp turn pink and start to curl up. The key is to keep them juicy, so once they’re opaque and tender, transfer them to a plate fast.
Step 4: Build the Scampi Sauce
Pour the white wine or chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any golden, garlicky bits left behind—they’ll infuse tons of flavor. Let it simmer for a minute until slightly reduced. Stir in the remaining butter, all the lemon juice, and the last tablespoon of chili crisp. Watch as the sauce turns glossy and deeply aromatic—it’s pure magic in the making.
Step 5: Toss Pasta and Shrimp
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well until it’s coated in that spicy, buttery sauce. If things seem too thick, drizzle in a little reserved pasta water to make everything beautifully slick and saucy. Gently return the shrimp to the pan, toss again, and get ready for the grand finale.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Shower the dish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Spoon into bowls immediately, add an extra crack of black pepper if you like, and serve with juicy lemon wedges on the side. There you have it—dinner is a total triumph!
How to Serve Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and a few generous squeezes from those lemon wedges brighten every serving of Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi. If you’re feeling adventurous, an extra drizzle of chili crisp right before serving makes the whole thing even more vibrant.
Side Dishes
This dish goes beautifully with simple sides that don’t compete for attention—a crusty slice of toasted bread, a fresh green salad, or some lightly steamed greens are just the ticket. They’ll round out your meal and soak up any of that dreamy sauce left behind.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, swirl the noodles into little nests and top each one with a few gorgeous shrimp for an instantly glamorous look. Or, serve Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi family-style on a big platter so everyone can help themselves—perfect for an easygoing dinner party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, let everything cool to room temperature before transferring the Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi to an airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to 2 days, with the flavors mellowing and mingling even more.
Freezing
For the freshest taste and best shrimp texture, freezing is not recommended, as cooked shrimp tend to become rubbery after thawing. If you must freeze, do so within a day and reheat gently, but know it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the scampi in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it’s thickened. Avoid microwaving the shrimp for too long—they’ll get overcooked and lose their luscious bite.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While linguine or spaghetti are classic, Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi tastes amazing with fettuccine, angel hair, or even short pasta like penne if that’s what you have on hand.
What’s the best type of chili crisp to use?
Any favorite brand will work—just look for one with both crunchy solids and infused oil. If you love lots of heat, go bolder; for a milder vibe, choose one that’s tamer or use a bit less.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Definitely! Substitute a good-quality vegan butter or even olive oil for the butter—it will still deliver plenty of richness and flavor, while keeping the Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi totally dairy-free.
Can I prepare Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi ahead of time?
You can get ahead by prepping the shrimp and measuring your ingredients in advance, but for the very best texture, cook and toss everything together just before serving. Leftovers are still tasty, but nothing beats it fresh from the pan.
Is Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi very spicy?
The spice level is super flexible! The dish gets its warmth from chili crisp (and optional red pepper flakes), so you can add less or more depending on your heat tolerance. Marinating the shrimp in chili crisp beforehand will also turn up the heat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something exciting yet unfussy, Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi is the weeknight hero you didn’t know you needed. It’s luxurious, fast, and bursting with flavor—so gather your ingredients and treat yourself to a truly memorable meal. Happy cooking!
Print
Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Italian Fusion
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a flavorful fusion dish with this Chili Crisp Shrimp Scampi recipe. Succulent shrimp are coated in a spicy chili crisp sauce and tossed with al dente pasta for a satisfying meal that’s bursting with Asian-Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta:
- 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti
Chili Crisp Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons chili crisp (with oil and solids)
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of chili crisp and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes, then cook the shrimp until pink. Remove the shrimp.
- Make the Sauce: Add wine or broth to the skillet, then stir in butter, lemon juice, and chili crisp. Toss in the pasta, adding reserved water. Return shrimp to the skillet, mix, and garnish with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Adjust chili crisp amount to taste.
- For more flavor, marinate shrimp in chili crisp before cooking.
- Pairs well with crusty bread or a green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
