Garlic Chicken and Shrimp

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 04/05/21
Garlic chicken and shrimp

The Spruce
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
612 Calories
36g Fat
14g Carbs
55g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 612
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 14g 71%
Cholesterol 362mg 121%
Sodium 1544mg 67%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 55g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 134mg 10%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 464mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Chicken and shrimp go together surprisingly well, and this dish is no exception. Garlic, basil, and simple Italian-style seasonings flavor the chicken and shrimp mixture for a dish with a flavor similar to a classic shrimp scampi.

The chicken and shrimp are cooked together in the pan for minimal cleanup. Be sure to cut boneless chicken breast halves into strips or use chicken tenders in the dish for quick cooking. Also, you'll want to add smaller or precooked shrimp later than raw large or jumbo shrimp. Follow the recipe's tips to ensure both proteins are thoroughly cooked.

Serve this chicken and shrimp combination with cooked linguine, angel hair pasta, noodles, or hot boiled rice. Add a tossed green salad or Caesar salad for a well-rounded meal suitable for any occasion. 

Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin​ olive oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh basil

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning or seasoned salt

  • 1 cup cooked rice or pasta

  • 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped parsley, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Garlic chicken and shrimp ingredients
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  2. Lightly pound the chicken between sheets of plastic wrap to an even thickness. Cut the chicken into strips about 1 inch wide. If you are using chicken tenders, omit this step.

    Cut chicken into strips
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  3. To devein the shrimp, draw the tip of a small, sharp knife down the back of a shrimp. Remove the dark vein or coax it out with the knife. Repeat with the remaining shrimp. Rinse the shrimp under cold running water and then pat them dry with paper towels.

    Peel and devein shrimp
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  4. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil.

    Melt butter with the olive oil in the skillet
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  5. When the butter stops foaming, add the garlic, basil, parsley, salt, and seasoning. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the chicken and shrimp.

    Add seasoning, garlic, and shrimp to butter in skillet
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  6. Cook the shrimp and chicken mixture, stirring, for about 10 to 15 minutes, until cooked through. If the shrimp are small, add them a few minutes after adding the chicken. The shrimp will be opaque and pink when done, and the chicken will be white and opaque throughout.

    Cooking the shrimp and chicken
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  7. Spoon the chicken and shrimp mixture over hot cooked pasta or rice for serving. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

    Serve garlic chicken and shrimp over pasta
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Tip

  • If you are using frozen cooked shrimp, thaw them in the refrigerator and add them about 5 minutes before the dish is done, or cook just long enough to heat the shrimp thoroughly.

Recipe Variations

As with many savory dishes, there are lots of ways you can tailor this dish by adding ingredients or making substitutions:

  • Add a small minced shallot or a few tablespoons of scallions to the butter and olive oil along with the garlic and seasonings.
  • Add about 1/4 cup of finely chopped bell pepper or 6 to 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms to the skillet.
  • Finish with a squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice or serve the dish with lemon wedges.
  • Feel free to use all chicken or all shrimp in the dish. Chicken and ham is a great combination as well.