Shrimp with Rice Recipe

Delicious tender marinated shrimp with rice is the perfect quick meal in less than 20 minutes. They are made with aromatic basmati rice and lightly flavored with warm, aromatic whole spices.

---

Who doesn’t love a good pilaf or pilau, right? Aromatic basmati rice cooked in chicken stock until tender yet light and fluffy. You can also add vegetables or meat to it.

Pilaf or pilau is not the same as Biryani because Biryani is not cooked in a broth. Check my Chicken Biryani recipe, and you will see that it’s different.

My kids love rice, so this is very popular in our home. Add some meat and veggies, throw in some herbs, and it’s a healthy and nutritious meal.

Why make this rice pilaf?

• This recipe does not get any easier. It’s a complete meal in less than 20 minutes.
• It uses simple and easy-to-find ingredients, most of which are pantry staples.
• And you can add veggies, like carrots and frozen peas, to the rice, or you can serve some vegetables as a side dish to make this a complete meal. Try sauteed green beans, asparagus, broccoli, and roasted carrots or squash.

Ingredients and substitutes

• Shrimps – I use fresh or frozen shrimps, which take about 10 to 20 minutes to thaw. You can also use prawns.
• Ginger and garlic – Onion, ginger, and garlic are an absolute must when making curry. Hence, you will rarely find a recipe that does not have them. So, make sure you buy fresh ginger and garlic for your Indian curries. They will make a huge difference. 
• Onion – I love using sweet red onions and shallots in my rice recipes. And yet, you can use any onion that you have on hand.
• Whole spices – The whole spices add warm aroma and flavor, without making this dish spicy. Do not add too much, as they can be overpowering as well.
• Cilantro – I love using fresh cilantro. And yet, parsley works just as well.

Step-by-step: Skillet shrimp with rice recipe

• Soak the rice – Wash and soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes. Then, drain and set aside.
• Clean the shrimp – Peel the shrimp and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, season with kosher salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika or red pepper flakes. Set aside.
• Pan fry shrimps – Add 1 tsp of olive oil or butter to a non-stick pan. Add shrimp and cook on medium-high heat for three minutes. Stir gently, then remove and set them aside.
  Pro tip – Shrimps need only 3 to 5 minutes to cook. So, cooking them first will ensure they do not overcook and become chewy.

• Sauté the veggies – In a large skillet or Dutch oven, add the remaining oil and whole spices. Sauté for 30 seconds. Then, add the onions, ginger, and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent.
• Add rice – Next, add the rice and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly toasted. Then, add the rice, frozen peas, and fresh parsley, followed by the chicken broth. Season with salt and black pepper.

• Cook – Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and keep covered for another 10 minutes.
  Pro tip – Let the rice cook in its residual heat for 10 minutes. This will ensure a light and fluffy rice.

• Add shrimps – Finally, return the shrimp to the rice and add more fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill. Give it a gentle squeeze of lemon juice.
• Fluff – Fluff the rice with a fork to ensure everything is well combined. Top with more fresh parsley before serving.

• Chicken with Rice Pilaf or classic Rice Pilaf
• Cajun Chicken with Rice
• Turmeric Rice with Chicken and Peas
• Coconut Turmeric Rice
• The BEST Fried Rice recipe
• Quick One-Pot Vegetable Rice
• Turmeric Cauliflower Rice Pilaf or Mustard Dill Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
• See all rice recipes

Frequently asked questions

Did you LIKE this recipe? Save it for later on Pinterest.
Follow on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok
Subscribe to receive new recipes right to your inbox.

---