Luscious lemon-garlic shrimp meets hearty quinoa in this wholesome skillet recipe. Fresh lemon juice and chopped chives add a vibrant touch to this easy meal made for busy weeknights.
This one-pot style skillet meal is a nutritional powerhouse. By pairing lean, high-protein shrimp with fiber-rich quinoa, you get a satisfying dinner that supports heart health without spending hours in the kitchen.
This recipe focuses on nutrient density by combining lean marine protein with a complete plant-based protein source. Using heart-healthy fats like olive oil instead of heavy creams ensures a meal that is light on saturated fat but high in essential vitamins and minerals.
Yes! Thaw frozen shrimp completely in the refrigerator or under cold running water before patting them dry. Drying the shrimp is key to getting a good sear in the skillet.
Always rinse your quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water for about 30 seconds before cooking. This removes the natural outer coating called saponin, which can cause a bitter taste.
Yes. Because it combines high protein (shrimp) with a high-fiber, low-glycemic grain (quinoa), this meal is designed to help prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar.
You can prep the herbed quinoa in advance, but we recommend cooking the shrimp fresh or reheating it very gently to maintain its tender texture.
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These vibrant, healthy meals cook up in 30 minutes and are perfect for busy weeknights.
Recipe yields 8 servings
Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl. In a skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes, or until onion is softened. Add onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, cherry tomatoes, herbs and black pepper to quinoa. Toss to combine. Keep warm.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 1 minute.
Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Add the wine, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt and cook for 1 minute. Turn the shrimp and cook about 1 to 2 minutes more, or until no longer pink.
Garnish with parsley and chives. Serve with quinoa and lemon wedges.
If you don't have quinoa, brown rice or farro make excellent heart-healthy alternatives.
Scallops or chunks of firm white fish (like cod) can be swapped for shrimp using the same garlic-lemon seasoning.
Use a low-sodium vegetable broth or a splash of water if you prefer to cook without white wine.
If fresh herbs aren't available, use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs, though fresh is preferred for the best flavor profile.