🔥 Slow Cooker Cajun Shrimp Scampi: A Bold Twist on a Classic Favorite
If you're a fan of shrimp scampi and love the warm, spicy kick of Cajun seasoning, you're in for a real treat. This Slow Cooker Cajun Shrimp Scampi brings together the rich, buttery flavors of traditional scampi with the zesty heat of Louisiana-style spices, all made easy thanks to your slow cooker.
Perfect for busy weeknights, entertaining guests, or just spicing up your meal routine, this dish is a game-changer. It’s packed with bold flavor, effortless to make, and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
🍤 Why You'll Love This Recipe
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Slow cooker convenience — set it and forget it!
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Big flavor with minimal effort
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Spicy, garlicky, buttery perfection
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Great served over pasta, rice, or zoodles
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Easy to scale up for parties or gatherings
This recipe keeps all the garlic-butter goodness of traditional shrimp scampi but infuses it with Cajun flair — smoky paprika, cayenne, oregano, and a dash of lemon for brightness.
📝 Slow Cooker Cajun Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
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5 cloves garlic, minced
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Juice of 1 lemon (plus extra wedges for serving)
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1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
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1/2 tsp smoked paprika
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1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
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1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
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Cooked pasta, rice, or bread for serving
👨🍳 Instructions:
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Prep the slow cooker:
Lightly grease the insert of your slow cooker or use a liner for easy cleanup. -
Make the sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, pepper, and chicken broth or wine. -
Add ingredients to slow cooker:
Place the shrimp in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and toss gently to coat. -
Cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the shrimp are pink, tender, and cooked through. Do not overcook, or the shrimp will become rubbery. -
Garnish and serve:
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot over pasta, rice, or with warm, crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
💡 Tips & Variations
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Don’t overcook the shrimp – they cook quickly! You can also add them during the last 30–45 minutes if you're worried about overcooking.
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Want it creamy? Stir in a splash of heavy cream or grated Parmesan at the end.
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Add veggies: Sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms can be added for extra texture and color.
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Homemade Cajun seasoning: Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper for a DIY blend.
🥖 Serving Suggestions
This spicy shrimp dish pairs beautifully with:
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Linguine or angel hair pasta
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Cilantro-lime rice or dirty rice
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Steamed zucchini noodles (zoodles) for a low-carb option
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Grilled corn or roasted vegetables
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And don’t forget the garlic bread to mop up all that buttery Cajun sauce!
❄️ Storage & Leftovers
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Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
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Freezing: Not recommended, as shrimp can become rubbery when reheated from frozen.
🌶️ The Bottom Line
This Slow Cooker Cajun Shrimp Scampi is a celebration of flavor — the buttery richness of scampi meets the spicy soul of the South. It’s comforting, bold, and unbelievably easy to make. Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd, this dish brings the heat in all the right ways.
Set it, forget it, and savor every spicy, garlicky bite. 🧄🍋🍤
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