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A colorful quick shrimp skillet recipe with vegetables

Zesty Pesto Shrimp Skillet

This Zesty Pesto Shrimp Skillet is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight meal. Featuring succulent shrimp, vibrant bell peppers, and onions, all tossed in a delicious pesto sauce, it's a delightful culinary experience.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • Paper Towels

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves minced fresh garlic)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium bell pepper, any color, thinly sliced
  • ½ medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons pesto

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat the shrimp dry and toss it with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

Cooking

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until pink; then remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Add the sliced bell pepper and onion to the same skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
  • Stir in the 2 tablespoons of pesto with the vegetables for about 1 minute, allowing it to warm through and coat everything.
  • Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, gently tossing everything together until the shrimp is thoroughly coated and warmed, about 1 minute.

Serving

  • Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is easily doubled; just ensure you cook the shrimp in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan, which ensures a good sear.