Garlic Chicken and Shrimp

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/11/22
Tested by
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Tested by Colleen Graham
Writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Garlic chicken and shrimp served on thin spaghetti on a plate

The Spruce Eats

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 32 mins
Servings: 4 servings

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, and it's perfectly safe to do so. Be sure to cut boneless chicken breast halves into strips or use chicken tenders in the dish for quick cooking. 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. 

"The recipe creates a quick and delicious dinner in no time at all. It’s easy to make, so anyone can create this scampi-like dish; adding the chicken as a second protein makes it more satisfying. Fresh herbs and garlic are always a good choice, and you can up the Creole seasoning for even more flavor." —Colleen Graham

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders

  • 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled

  • 3 ounces (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, plus more for optional garnish

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning

  • 1 cup cooked pasta, or rice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for garlic chicken and shrimp recipe gathered

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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.

    Chicken cut into even strips on a wooden board

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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.

    Peeled and deveined raw shrimp in a bowl

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

    Melted butter and olive oil in a 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.

    Chicken, shrimp, garlic, and seasonings added to skillet

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  6. Stir the chicken for about 5 minutes until opaque and almost cooked through. Add the shrimp to the chicken and cook until opaque and pink, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes.

    Cooked shrimp and chicken in the skillet

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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.

    Garlic chicken and shrimp served over thin spaghetti on a plate

    The Spruce Eats

Tip

  • If you are using frozen cooked shrimp, thaw them in the refrigerator first and cook just long enough to heat the shrimp thoroughly.
  • No fresh herbs? Use one teaspoon each of dried basil and parsley instead.

Recipe Variations

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

  • Use a seasoned salt blend instead of Creole seasoning.
  • Add a small minced shallot or a few tablespoons of sliced scallion 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.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
651 Calories
37g Fat
14g Carbs
63g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 651
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 47%
Saturated Fat 14g 72%
Cholesterol 381mg 127%
Sodium 1455mg 63%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 63g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 138mg 11%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 524mg 11%
*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.)