Creamy Garlic Butter Cod & Shrimp Skillet

“My husband and I could barely walk back into the kitchen after dinner because we ate so much of this! Haha — it’s TOO yummy to resist!”

Tender cod pieces and juicy shrimp simmer in a rich, creamy, garlicky butter sauce with herbs. This quick one-pan seafood dinner tastes restaurant-quality but is incredibly easy.

Ingredients

For the Seafood

• 500 g (1 lb) cod fillets, cut into chunks
• 10–12 medium shrimp, peeled & deveined
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Creamy Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth (or seafood broth)
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional but recommended)
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

1️⃣ Sear the Seafood

1. Season cod and shrimp with salt & pepper.
2. Heat olive oil + 1 tbsp butter in a skillet.
3. Add cod pieces and sear 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove.
4. Add shrimp, sear 1 minute per side. Remove and set aside.

2️⃣ Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp butter.
2. Sauté garlic until fragrant (30 seconds).
3. Add broth and scrape the brown bits for flavor.
4. Pour in heavy cream, parmesan, Dijon, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
5. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.

3️⃣ Combine Everything

1. Return cod and shrimp to the skillet.
2. Simmer on low for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens and seafood is fully cooked.
3. Squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle parsley on top.

Serve warm with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or crusty garlic bread.

Servings

Serves 3–4

Notes

• Use thick cod pieces so they don’t fall apart.
• Don’t overcook shrimp—they only need a few minutes.
• Sauce thickens more as it cools.

Tips

• Add spinach for extra nutrients.
• Replace cod with halibut, tilapia, haddock, or salmon.
• For a deeper flavor, add ¼ cup white cooking wine before adding broth.
• Want it thicker? Add 1 extra tablespoon parmesan.

Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 390
• Protein: 35 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Carbs: 5 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 1 g

(Values may vary with ingredients.)

Benefits

• High-protein, low-carb
• Rich in omega-3 (heart-healthy)
• Excellent for skin, hair & brain function
• One-pan, quick weeknight dinner

Q & A

Q: Can I use frozen fish?

Yes! Thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?

Use coconut cream + dairy-free parmesan.

Q: What can I serve it with?

Rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, steamed veggies, or garlic bread.

Q: Can I meal-prep it?

Yes, but seafood tastes best fresh. Store up to 2 days in the fridge.