Easy Lemon Butter Scallops Recipe

Table of Contents

• Why This Is the Ultimate Seafood Dinner
• Unlocking Flavor: Secrets to Perfect Scallops
• Beyond the Plate: Pairings to Complete Your Meal
• Time-Saver Tips for Stress-Free Weeknight Meals
• Making It Your Own: Creative Variations
• A Final Word on Elegant, Easy Eating
• Recipe: Lemon Butter Scallops
• Notes & Tips for Perfect Results

Key Takeaways

• Effortless Elegance: Achieve a restaurant-quality, impressive dinner in just 15 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup.
• Master the Sear: The single most important step for perfect scallops is patting them completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden crust.
• Versatile & Customizable: This simple recipe foundation adapts easily to different diets (like gluten-free or keto) and pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
• Flavor-Packed Simplicity: The magic lies in the easy, 4-ingredient lemon butter sauce built right in the pan, maximizing flavor with minimal effort.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Equally suited for a quick weeknight fix, a romantic date night at home, or an impressive dish for guests.

Why This Is the Ultimate Seafood Dinner

Have you ever craved a restaurant-style meal but felt short on time or confidence in the kitchen? I’m Patricia, and I created this lemon butter scallop recipe to bridge that gap. It’s one of my favorite easy recipes for a reason. The combination of sweet, tender scallops and a bright, creamy lemon butter sauce feels incredibly special, yet the process is wonderfully straightforward. Whether you’re cooking for one, planning a date night in, or need a last-minute impressive dish for friends, these scallops deliver. This is the kind of quick and easy recipe that makes you feel like a culinary pro without the stress.

Unlocking Flavor: Secrets to Perfect Scallops

Scallops have a reputation for being tricky, but a couple of simple steps guarantee success every time. First, always look for “dry-packed” sea scallops, as they haven’t been treated with extra water, which can prevent browning. The golden rule for that perfect sear is to pat the scallops completely dry with paper towels. A damp scallop will steam instead of sear. Once you have your sizzling, golden-brown scallops, you create the sauce right in the same pan. Those delicious browned bits left behind (the “fond”) are pure flavor gold for your simple lemon butter sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with depth. This technique is the heart of so many successful easy recipes with few ingredients.

Beyond the Plate: Pairings to Complete Your Meal

While these scallops are a star on their own, the right side dish turns them into a complete, satisfying meal. For a classic pairing, toss the scallops and sauce with a mound of angel hair pasta or linguine. If you’re looking for something lighter, serve them over a bed of creamy mashed cauliflower or alongside simple roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes. A crisp, buttery Chardonnay or a dry Riesling complements the lemon and richness of the dish beautifully. Thinking of this as a quick and easy dinner recipe opens up possibilities—it’s fast enough for a Tuesday but fancy enough for Saturday.

Time-Saver Tips for Stress-Free Weeknight Meals

The beauty of this dish is its speed, but a little prep goes a long way. Measure out your sauce ingredients before you start cooking—having your lemon juice, broth, and cream ready means you can build the sauce seamlessly after searing the scallops. If you’re including a side like pasta or rice, get that started first so everything finishes together. Cleanup is a breeze since you only use one skillet! For an easy dinner recipe with minimal cleanup, this is a top contender. The entire process, from fridge to table, takes about 15 minutes, proving that incredible flavor doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

Making It Your Own: Creative Variations

One of my favorite things about a great foundational easy recipe is how it invites creativity. Love garlic? Add an extra clove to the sauce. Want a touch of heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes works wonders. For a herby twist, stir in some fresh chopped dill or tarragon with the parsley. If you’re following a specific diet, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, and you can easily make it keto-friendly by using full-fat broth and serving it over zucchini noodles instead of pasta. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it yours!

A Final Word on Elegant, Easy Eating

At Patricia Universe, I believe that cooking should be a joy, not a chore. Recipes like these lemon butter scallops are designed to build your confidence and bring delicious, beautiful food to your table without complication. It’s the perfect example of how a few quality ingredients and a simple method can create something truly memorable. So, grab your skillet, and let’s make dinner something to savor.

Recipe: Lemon Butter Scallops

Find the complete recipe with ingredients and step-by-step instructions in the main recipe card above.

Notes & Tips for Perfect Results

• The Dry Scallop Rule: This cannot be overstated. Use multiple paper towels to pat the scallops until they are completely dry on all sides. This is the #1 secret to a good sear.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook scallops in a single layer with space between them. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid steaming.
• Sauce Consistency: If your sauce seems too thin after adding the cream, let it simmer for an extra minute or two. It will thicken slightly as it reduces.
• Make it Lighter: Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream for a slightly lighter, but still luxurious, sauce.
• Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat very gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the delicate scallops.

Easy Lemon Butter Scallops Recipe

Seared scallops in a zesty lemon butter sauce is a restaurant-quality dish that’s ready in minutes. Perfect for an impressive yet easy dinner or date night!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy dinner, lemon butter, pasta, quick recipe, scallops, seafood

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Patricia

Ingredients

For the Scallops

• 1 pound sea scallops, side muscle removed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

For the Lemon Butter Sauce

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

Prep and Sear Scallops

1. Pat scallops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter.
3. Add scallops in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Make the Sauce

1. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
3. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
4. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for another minute until slightly thickened.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and lemon zest.

Finish and Serve

1. Return scallops to the skillet, spooning sauce over them to warm through.
2. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired. Pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

Ensure scallops are very dry before searing for a perfect golden crust. For a lighter sauce, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the scallops.