There’s just something so satisfying about a one-pan dinner that’s bursting with flavor and comes together quickly. This Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe delivers a cozy, colorful meal with juicy shrimp and tender rice all cooked in the same skillet—a perfect weeknight winner you'll want to keep around.

A close-up view of a large gray pot with pink handles filled with a cooked rice dish. The rice is orange and mixed evenly with pieces of cooked shrimp that are light pink and curled. There are slices of green zucchini scattered inside along with halved red cherry tomatoes. All ingredients are mixed together and topped with small green basil leaves. A gold spoon is partially submerged at the left edge of the pot. The pot is placed on a white marbled surface with a glimpse of a bowl of green herbs in the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s both straightforward and packed with fresh, vibrant flavors. I love how the shrimp cooks to perfection while the rice soaks up all those delicious seasonings—plus, cleanup is a breeze!

One-Pan Magic: Everything cooks together in one skillet, making meal prep and cleanup so much easier.
Flavor Explosion: Italian seasoning, garlic, and a hint of tomato paste bring a depth and bright warmth you’ll crave.
Flexible Ingredients: It’s easy to swap in your favorite veggies or adjust spices to your liking.
Quick Dinner Fix: You can have this meal on the table in under 30 minutes, even on busy nights.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances fresh produce, tender shrimp, and seasoned rice to create a dish that’s hearty but not heavy. Each ingredient plays a key role in layering flavor and texture.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of olive oil, a white ceramic bowl of tomato paste, a white ceramic bowl of vibrant chicken broth, a cluster of fresh halved cherry tomatoes, a whole zucchini chopped, two cloves of garlic, a heap of white rice, a pile of peeled and deveined raw shrimp, fresh bright green basil leaves, and a small white bowl containing a blend of Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: A good-quality olive oil adds a silky base to sauté your veggies and shrimp without overpowering their flavors.
Zucchini: I love zucchini here for adding moisture and a subtle sweetness; plus, it cooks fast and blends well with the rice.
Garlic: Because garlic is just essential—it gives the dish a warm, aromatic kick you can’t skip.
Italian seasoning: A blend of savory herbs that tie everything together beautifully.
Salt & black pepper: Basic but essential seasonings to bring out all the flavors.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch to add a subtle, lingering heat that wakes up your taste buds.
Tomato paste: This adds a rich, concentrated depth and a hint of umami that makes the rice uniquely comforting.
White rice: The heart of the dish—look for medium grain for that perfect fluffy texture.
Chicken broth: Liquid that infuses the rice with savory flavor – homemade or your favorite store-bought brand works great.
Cherry tomatoes: Tossing them in toward the end gives bursts of juicy sweetness and a fresh pop of color.
Shrimp: Make sure they’re peeled and deveined for quick cooking and easy eating.
Fresh basil: Garnishing with basil adds a lovely, aromatic finish that lifts the whole dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I always like to mix things up a little depending on my mood and what’s in my fridge. This Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe is super adaptable, so don’t hesitate to tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping zucchini with bell peppers or asparagus when they’re in season – it changes the texture and flavor in a delightful way.
Spicy Upgrade: If you love heat, feel free to double the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce at the end.
Protein Swap: No shrimp on hand? This works wonderfully with chicken pieces or firm white fish, just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Make it Vegetarian: Skip the shrimp and stir in pan-fried tofu or chickpeas—you won’t miss the seafood at all.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a white bowl filled with cooked rice mixed with small shrimp pieces and green herbs. On top, there are many bright orange shrimp coated with red spices and small bits of green herbs. Thinly sliced lemon wedges are arranged around the shrimp in the bowl. A shiny fork lifts a piece of shrimp with some rice, highlighting the texture of the shrimp and the mix of colors from the spices and herbs. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the zucchini until tender and fragrant

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped zucchini and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally so it softens evenly but stays slightly crisp. You'll want it tender but not mushy—that little bit of texture makes all the difference later.

Step 2: Build the flavor base with garlic and seasonings

Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir everything together well, letting the tomato paste cook for 1-2 minutes until it darkens slightly and the garlic becomes fragrant. This step creates a rich, savory flavor foundation that will soak into the rice.

Step 3: Toast the rice, then simmer

Stir in the white rice, coating it thoroughly with the tomato and spice mixture. Toast the rice for about one minute—you’ll notice a subtle nutty aroma as it heats, which is a good sign! Then pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring it all to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet and reduce to a simmer, cooking the rice for 10-12 minutes. Be sure to stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking and evenly distribute the liquid.

Step 4: Add shrimp and cherry tomatoes for the final cook

Carefully fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and the peeled, deveined shrimp. Cover again and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque and the rice is tender. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking the shrimp—once they’re just done, you’re golden!

Top Tip

From making this dish dozens of times, a few simple tips helped me get it right every single time. These little tricks can transform your Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe into a next-level meal you’ll be excited to serve.

Don't Skip Toasting: Toasting the rice briefly before adding broth locks in a nuttier, richer flavor and helps the grains stay separate.
Watch the Shrimp Closely: Shrimp cook fast and go from perfectly juicy to rubbery quickly—remove from heat as soon as they turn opaque.
Stir Regularly: Stirring every couple of minutes while the rice cooks keeps it from sticking to the pan and ensures even cooking.
Season Gradually: Taste your dish at different stages and adjust salt and pepper—you want to build layers of flavor, not overwhelm it.

How to Serve Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe

shrimp rice skillet - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish with fresh basil leaves torn on top—this adds a vibrant pop of color and that distinct herby fragrance that brightens the whole skillet. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice partners beautifully with the shrimp’s natural sweetness, too.

Side Dishes

Light sides work best here. I like a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables for a bit more substance. Crusty bread is also great to sop up the flavorful broth left in the skillet.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this shrimp and rice skillet family-style right on the table, garnished with whole basil sprigs and lemon wedges. Another fun idea is to spoon it into small, colorful bowls and top with toasted pine nuts for a bit of crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together nicely overnight, but the rice can firm up, so I recommend reheating gently with a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my top choice for this recipe because the texture of cooked shrimp and rice can change a bit. But if you want to freeze, cool completely then freeze in portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat over low heat with added liquid for best results.

Reheating

I usually reheat leftovers on the stove in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to keep the rice from drying out. Stir gently until warmed through. Microwaving works too—it’s just easy to overcook the shrimp if you’re not careful.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but it requires a longer cooking time and more liquid—about 45 minutes and 4 cups of broth. I recommend pre-cooking the brown rice separately, then adding it towards the end with the shrimp to avoid overcooking.

How do I prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery?

Shrimp cook very quickly and become rubbery if overcooked. Add them last and cook just until they turn pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Removing the pan from heat immediately after helps keep them tender and juicy.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe is naturally gluten-free, as long as you use gluten-free chicken broth and double-check any seasonings or tomato paste you buy to ensure they have no hidden gluten ingredients.

What can I add to make this recipe more filling?

To bulk it up, consider adding extra veggies like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms during sautéing. You can also mix in beans or serve alongside a hearty salad or crusty bread to make it more satisfying.

Final Thoughts

This Shrimp Rice Skillet Recipe holds a special place in my dinner rotation because it’s just so easy, flavorful, and comforting. I hope you give it a try soon—you might find yourself making it over and over like I do on those busy nights. It’s one of those recipes that feels homemade and fancy at the same time, with very little fuss involved. Enjoy every bite!