Zesty Lemon Butter Scallops with Parmesan Risotto Recipe

Seafood enthusiasts adore these tender lemon butter scallops over parmesan risotto that melt in your mouth with elegant simplicity.

Golden-brown scallops dance atop creamy risotto, creating a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily craft at home.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of delicate marine flavors and rich, cheesy undertones.

The combination of sweet scallops and parmesan-infused rice delivers a luxurious meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Fresh lemon adds a bright, zesty note that cuts through the richness, elevating every forkful.

Silky, buttery scallops paired with al dente risotto make this recipe a true culinary masterpiece.

Prepare to impress your dinner guests with this stunning yet surprisingly simple seafood sensation.

Why Lemon Butter Scallops Hit the Spot

• Dive into a luxurious risotto that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal culinary skills required.
• Create a mind-blowing meal that combines tender scallops with rich, velvety Parmesan risotto, delivering complex tastes through surprisingly straightforward cooking steps.
• Elevate your home cooking game by preparing a sophisticated dinner that looks and tastes incredibly impressive, yet demands minimal preparation time and basic kitchen techniques.
• Adapt the recipe easily by swapping ingredients or adjusting seasonings, making it perfect for both confident home cooks and experimental food lovers seeking a delightful dining experience.

What’s in Lemon Scallops & Risotto

• Scallops: Fresh, tender seafood that serves as the star of the dish.
• Arborio Rice: A creamy, short-grain Italian rice perfect for making rich and smooth risotto.
• Butter, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy ingredients that add richness and depth of flavor to the dish.

• Shallots, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that provide a subtle, sweet base flavor to the risotto.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that adds brightness and color to the final dish.

• White Wine: A liquid that helps deglaze the pan and adds complexity to the risotto.
• Chicken Broth: A flavorful liquid used to cook and create the creamy texture of the risotto.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Mushrooms: An earthy vegetable that adds depth and umami to the risotto.

How to Make Scallops with Creamy Risotto

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

In a spacious skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

Introduce finely chopped shallots and minced garlic, allowing them to soften and release their fragrant essence for 1-2 minutes.

The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma of butter and aromatics dancing together.

Step 2: Incorporate Mushrooms

Gently add mushrooms to the pan, cooking until they release their natural moisture and develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

The mushrooms will create a rich, earthy foundation for the dish.

Step 3: Toast Risotto Rice

Fold in Arborio rice, stirring carefully to coat each grain with the buttery mixture.

Toast the rice for approximately one minute, which helps maintain its structural integrity during the cooking process.

Step 4: Deglaze with White Wine

Stream white wine into the pan, allowing it to simmer and nearly completely absorb.

Watch as the rice begins to transform, becoming luxuriously creamy and developing deeper flavor notes.

Step 5: Create Creamy Risotto

Gradually introduce warm chicken broth, adding approximately half a cup at a time.

Stir consistently, ensuring each addition is absorbed before adding more.

This meditative process will take 30-40 minutes, transforming the rice into a velvety masterpiece.

Step 6: Finish with Cheese and Herbs

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped parsley

Season generously with salt and pepper to elevate the flavors.

Step 7: Prepare Lemon Butter Scallops

Pat scallops dry with paper towels.

Season with salt and pepper.

In a separate pan, melt butter until it becomes golden and slightly foamy.

Sear scallops for 1-2 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.

Step 8: Plate and Serve

Spoon creamy risotto onto plates, carefully arranging seared scallops on top.

Drizzle with remaining lemon butter sauce and garnish with additional parsley for a stunning presentation.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Scallops

• Constant, gentle stirring releases the rice's starches, creating that signature creamy texture without becoming gluey.
• Choose high-starch Arborio or Carnaroli rice for authentic risotto – these short-grain varieties absorb liquid beautifully while maintaining a slight bite.
• Select a crisp, dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to enhance the risotto's depth without overpowering delicate scallop flavors.
• Keep chicken broth warm but not boiling when adding to rice – this ensures consistent cooking and prevents shocking the grains.
• Pat scallops completely dry before cooking to achieve a golden-brown crust, and cook quickly over high heat to prevent rubbery texture.

Storing and Reheating Scallops Without Drying

• Store leftover scallops and risotto separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Sprinkle a few drops of water or chicken broth over the risotto to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the dish reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Gently reheat risotto in a pan with a splash of broth, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Add extra Parmesan cheese to revive the creamy texture. Warm scallops separately on low heat to prevent overcooking.
• Freeze risotto and scallops in separate freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the best texture and flavor.

What to Pair with Scallops & Risotto

• Elevate Coastal Elegance: Perfectly Paired Flavors
• -Crisp Chardonnay Companion: Select a buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay to mirror the rich lemon butter sauce and creamy Parmesan risotto, creating a harmonious wine experience that enhances the delicate scallop's sweetness.
• -Mediterranean Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh thyme or tarragon over the dish to add a subtle aromatic layer that complements the seafood's delicate flavor and cuts through the risotto's richness.
• -Citrus Salad Sidekick: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved fennel to provide a bright, crisp contrast to the creamy risotto and buttery scallops, balancing the plate's intense flavors.
• -Crusty Sourdough Accent: Serve warm, rustic sourdough bread on the side to soak up the remaining lemon butter sauce, adding a textural element and allowing diners to enjoy every last drop of the dish's luxurious flavors.

Elegant Variations on This Seafood Favorite

• Vegan Seafood Swap: Replace scallops with king oyster mushroom slices, seared and seasoned to mimic seafood texture. Use vegetable broth and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Confirm Arborio rice is certified gluten-free. Substitute white wine with gluten-free vegetable stock or apple cider vinegar to maintain flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace Arborio rice with cauliflower rice, sautéed and seasoned similarly. Use lighter proteins like shrimp or cod to keep the dish protein-rich while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Use cashew cream or coconut milk to create creamy risotto texture. Select dairy-free Parmesan substitute or nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor profile.

FAQs

• Why does this recipe use Arborio rice?

Arborio rice contains high starch content that creates the signature creamy texture of risotto. When slowly cooked and stirred, the rice releases its starches, producing a luxurious, velvety consistency that’s essential to traditional risotto.

• Can I substitute the white wine?

Yes, you can use chicken broth or vegetable stock as a replacement. The goal is to add depth of flavor and help deglaze the pan. If you prefer, a splash of white wine vinegar mixed with broth can also work well.

• How do I know when the risotto is perfectly cooked?

The risotto is ready when the rice is tender but still has a slight bite (al dente), and the mixture has a soft, flowing consistency. It should spread slightly on the plate when served, not stand in a stiff mound. The entire process takes about 30-40 minutes of patient stirring.

• What's the secret to making creamy risotto?

The key is adding warm broth gradually and stirring constantly. This slow process allows the rice to release its starches evenly, creating that signature creamy texture. Never rush by adding cold broth or all the liquid at once, as this disrupts the risotto’s delicate cooking process.

Lemon Butter Scallops Over Parmesan Risotto Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delicate lemon butter scallops dance atop creamy parmesan risotto, creating an elegant coastal-inspired dinner. Silky seafood and rich Italian rice merge in a harmonious plate that promises restaurant-quality flavors you’ll savor with each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12–16 jumbo sea scallops
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 5–6 cups chicken broth

Cheese and Seasoning:

• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Aromatics and Cooking Liquids:

• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1–2 shallots
• 2–3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• Juice of half a lemon
• Lemon wedges
• Oil for cooking

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Instructions

1. Caramelize shallots and garlic in melted butter over medium heat until fragrant and translucent, approximately 2 minutes.
2. Incorporate mushrooms into the pan, cooking until they release moisture and develop golden-brown edges.
3. Introduce Arborio rice, gently toasting for one minute to enhance its structural integrity during subsequent cooking.
4. Deglaze the pan with white wine, allowing liquid to simmer and reduce until nearly completely absorbed, creating initial creaminess.
5. Gradually introduce warm chicken broth in incremental portions, stirring consistently to encourage rice’s gradual absorption and creamy texture. This methodical process requires 30-40 minutes of dedicated attention.
6. Once rice reaches perfect consistency, fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, seasoning comprehensively with salt and pepper to elevate flavors.
7. Simultaneously prepare scallops by patting dry and seasoning with salt and pepper.
8. Sear scallops in hot skillet for approximately 90 seconds per side, ensuring golden-brown caramelization without overcooking.
9. Create quick lemon butter sauce by whisking butter, fresh lemon juice, and herbs in same skillet.
10. Plate risotto as foundational layer, delicately arrange seared scallops on top, and drizzle with vibrant lemon butter sauce.

Notes

• Achieve creamy risotto by stirring constantly and adding warm broth gradually, allowing each addition to absorb before adding more.
• Enhance flavor depth by using high-quality white wine and warming the broth beforehand to maintain consistent cooking temperature.
• Choose fresh, dry-packed scallops for best searing results, patting them completely dry to ensure a golden-brown exterior without steaming.
• Customize the dish for dietary needs by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth and using gluten-free rice varieties for those with restrictions.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 60mg