Garlic Butter Shrimp Rice Bake is a flavorful and easy one-dish meal combining tender shrimp with buttery, garlicky rice baked to perfection. Seasoned with smoked paprika, lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes, this dish is creamy, vibrant, and ideal for weeknight dinners.
You’ll love this recipe because it requires minimal hands-on time and combines juicy shrimp with a perfectly cooked, flavorful rice base enriched by butter, garlic, and fresh parsley. Baking the shrimp on top allows them to stay juicy while the rice absorbs all the delicious seasonings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (divided)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or seafood broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine rinsed rice, onion, half the garlic, 2 tablespoons melted butter, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat evenly.
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Pour broth and lemon juice over rice mixture. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing rice to absorb liquid but not fully cook.
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Meanwhile, toss shrimp with remaining garlic, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and red pepper flakes if using. Pat shrimp dry for better texture.
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Remove foil from baking dish, fluff rice lightly with a fork, then arrange shrimp in a single layer on top. Return to oven uncovered and bake an additional 10 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque.
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Garnish with chopped parsley and let rest 3-5 minutes before serving to settle juices.
Tips for Success
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Rinse rice well to remove excess starch for fluffy texture.
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Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to crisp up when baking.
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Use fresh lemon juice for bright flavor balance.
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Cover dish tightly when initially baking rice to steam perfectly.
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Add red pepper flakes cautiously; adjust to preferred heat level.
Delicious Variations
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Substitute shrimp with scallops or firm white fish chunks.
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Add diced bell peppers or peas to rice for extra veggies.
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Use garlic powder if fresh garlic unavailable.
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Top with grated Parmesan or mozzarella cheese before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this dish be made in an Instant Pot?
Yes, but cooking times and liquid quantities will vary.
How long can leftovers be stored?
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days.
Can this dish be frozen?
Freeze cooked rice and shrimp separately up to 2 months.
Is this recipe spicy?
Moderate heat from smoked paprika and optional red pepper flakes.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, all ingredients here are naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free broth.
Garlic Butter Shrimp Rice Bake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Flavorful one-dish meal combining juicy shrimp with buttery, garlicky rice baked to perfection. Seasoned with smoked paprika, lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes for a creamy, vibrant dinner that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (divided)
2 cups low-sodium chicken or seafood broth
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine rice, onion, half the garlic, 2 tablespoons melted butter, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat evenly.
Pour broth and lemon juice over rice mixture. Cover tightly with foil and bake 25 minutes until rice absorbs liquid but is not fully cooked.
Toss shrimp with remaining garlic, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and red pepper flakes if using. Pat shrimp dry.
Remove foil, fluff rice, arrange shrimp in a single layer on top. Bake uncovered 10 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque.
Garnish with parsley and let rest 3–5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Rinse rice for fluffiness.
Pat shrimp dry for better texture.
Use fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Cover tightly during initial bake for perfect steaming.
Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 175
Keywords: garlic butter shrimp rice bake, baked shrimp and rice, creamy shrimp casserole, smoked paprika shrimp dish, easy seafood bake
