Ingredients
Method
- Combine cream cheese, garlic, chives, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Trim the shrimp whiskers, then wash and pat the shrimp dry.
- Butterfly the shrimp by cutting through the shell along the back from head to tail. Remove the vein, then slice the meat nearly all the way through to divide it into halves. Open the shrimp flat and press gently to hold the shape.
- Arrange the butterflied shrimp in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Pipe the cream cheese filling onto each shrimp and spread it with the back of a spoon. Top with shredded quick-melt cheese.
- Bake the shrimp in a preheated oven at 200°C for 7 to 10 minutes or until cooked through.
- Transfer the shrimp to a serving dish, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve while warm.
Nutrition
Notes
Cheese Choices: I love using quick-melt cheese for that classic gooey pull, but I have found that a mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack creates a deeper flavor if you want something a bit punchier.
Butterflying Success: I used to cut too deep and split the shrimp in half, so I have learned to use a very sharp paring knife and stop just before the bottom shell so the shrimp stays together while laying perfectly flat.
Make Ahead Advice: You can easily prep the garlic cream cheese mixture a day in advance, and I find that letting it sit in the fridge actually helps the garlic and chive flavors meld together even better.
Serving Tip: These are quite decadent, so I always serve them with plenty of fresh lemon wedges because a quick squeeze of citrus right before eating really brightens up the rich cream cheese and garlic.
Don't
Overcook: My biggest discovery was that shrimp continues to cook for a minute after leaving the oven, so I pull the tray out the moment the cheese is bubbly and the shrimp turns a soft pink to keep them juicy.
Piping Shortcut: If you do not have a piping bag handy, just use a sturdy plastic sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off to get that filling exactly where you want it without any extra mess.