Description
Chili, Lemon, and Basil Shrimp with Israeli Couscous is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish featuring tender shrimp sautéed with garlic, chili flakes, fresh basil, and bright lemon zest. Served over fluffy, citrus-infused pearl couscous, this quick 25-minute meal is perfect for weeknights or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
- For the couscous:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup Israeli (pearl) couscous
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- For the shrimp:
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add couscous and toast 2–3 minutes until lightly golden.
- Stir in lemon juice (reserve zest), cook briefly, then add chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered. Fluff with a fork.
- Heat remaining olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook gently 3–5 minutes until fragrant.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Turn off heat and stir in chopped basil and reserved lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve shrimp over couscous immediately.
Notes
- Toast couscous before adding liquid to enhance flavor and texture.
- Use raw shrimp if preferred; cook until pink and opaque.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level.
- Fresh basil and lemon zest provide the best flavor.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
