These Spicy Garlic Butter Clams are a quick and easy dish that combines the richness of butter and garlic with the heat of chili flakes. The clams are cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with heavy cream and seasoned with paprika, salt, sugar, and optional curry powder. This dish is ready in just 15 minutes, making it a great option for a seafood lover’s meal or a delicious appetizer.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 lbs frozen precooked clams (or fresh)

• 10 cloves garlic (minced)

• 4 tbsp butter

• ½ tbsp oil

• 2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 2 tsp paprika

• ¾ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• 2 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp curry powder (optional)

• 2 tsp lemon juice

Directions

1. Sauté Garlic: Melt 3 tbsp butter and ½ tbsp oil in a medium-high heat pan. Once the butter is almost melted, add minced garlic and lower the heat to medium-low. Sauté for about a minute, then add chili flakes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.

2. Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir in paprika, salt, sugar, and curry powder (optional). Bring the mixture to a simmer.

3. Cook the Clams: Add the precooked clams to the pan and increase the heat to medium. Cover with a lid and let it cook for a minute. After removing the lid, allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

4. Finish the Dish: Turn off the heat, then add lemon juice and the remaining butter. Stir to combine and serve while hot.

Nutrients (Approximate per Serving)

• Calories: 350–400 kcal

• Fat: 30g

• Protein: 20g

• Carbohydrates: 5g

• Sugar: 2g

What to Serve With

• Homemade Parmesan Garlic Bread

• Fried Mantao Buns

• French Fries

This dish is rich, creamy, and spicy, making it perfect for pairing with sides like garlic bread or French fries. Enjoy this quick, indulgent seafood dish that’s full of flavor!

Why This Dish Works

Quick and Easy

One of the best things about Spicy Garlic Butter Clams is how quickly it comes together. With frozen precooked clams, this dish can be prepared in about 15 minutes, making it a great option for when you want to enjoy a flavorful seafood meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether you’re a busy home cook or looking for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Rich and Flavorful Sauce

The combination of butter and heavy cream creates a luxuriously creamy base that complements the natural sweetness of the clams. The garlic provides a savory depth, while the chili flakes add a spicy kick that elevates the dish. Paprika, salt, and sugar bring a balance of warmth and sweetness, rounding out the flavor profile. The optional curry powder adds a subtle hint of exotic flavor, deepening the richness of the sauce. The final touch of lemon juice cuts through the richness, adding brightness and freshness to the dish.

Tender, Flavor-Infused Clams

Clams are naturally sweet and briny, and when cooked in this flavorful sauce, they soak up all the deliciousness of the butter, garlic, and spices. Since the clams are precooked, they only need to be heated through in the sauce, ensuring they stay tender and juicy. The sauce envelops the clams in a creamy coating, making each bite burst with flavor.

How to Make Spicy Garlic Butter Clams

Sauté Garlic and Spices

To begin, melt butter and heat oil in a medium-high heat pan. The oil helps to prevent the butter from burning while it melts. Once the butter is nearly melted, add the minced garlic to the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute, allowing it to become fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn, as this can make the garlic taste bitter. Add the chili flakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the spice to infuse the butter and garlic.

Add Cream and Seasonings

Once the garlic is softened and aromatic, pour in the heavy whipping cream and stir in paprika, salt, sugar, and curry powder (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a simmer, letting the sauce thicken slightly and all the flavors meld together. This is the base of your creamy sauce, which will coat the clams perfectly.

Cook the Clams

Next, add the precooked clams to the pan, stirring gently to combine with the sauce. Increase the heat to medium and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the clams to cook for about 1 minute, which helps them heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce. After removing the lid, let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Finish the Dish

Once the sauce has thickened, turn off the heat and add the remaining butter and lemon juice to the pan. Stir until the butter is melted and fully incorporated into the sauce. The butter adds richness and helps to create a velvety texture in the sauce, while the lemon juice brightens up the dish, cutting through the creaminess and balancing the spice. Serve the clams hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.

What to Serve With Spicy Garlic Butter Clams

To complete the meal, you can pair these Spicy Garlic Butter Clams with a few delicious sides that complement the richness and spice of the dish:

1. Homemade Parmesan Garlic Bread: A crusty, buttery bread with a garlicky, cheesy flavor is perfect for dipping into the creamy sauce from the clams. The crispy exterior and soft interior of the bread make it an ideal vehicle for sopping up the rich broth.

2. Fried Mantao Buns: These soft, sweet Chinese steamed buns are perfect for dipping into the creamy garlic butter sauce, adding a slight sweetness that contrasts the heat of the chili flakes.

3. French Fries: For a more indulgent pairing, crispy French fries complement the spicy clams, offering a satisfying crunch to balance the soft, tender clams and creamy sauce.

Health Considerations

While Spicy Garlic Butter Clams is a rich and indulgent dish, it’s also packed with protein from the clams and essential nutrients from the garlic and butter. Clams are an excellent source of vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for maintaining energy levels, promoting brain health, and supporting heart health. However, because of the butter and cream, this dish is high in fat, so it should be enjoyed in moderation, especially if you’re watching your calorie or fat intake.

If you’d like to make this dish a bit lighter, you can experiment with substituting the heavy cream for a lighter alternative, such as half-and-half or coconut milk, and reduce the amount of butter used. The flavor may be slightly different, but you’ll still have a delicious, creamy sauce to enjoy with the clams.

Conclusion

Spicy Garlic Butter Clams is a quick, flavorful, and indulgent seafood dish that is perfect for any occasion. The creamy sauce, spiced with chili flakes and enriched with garlic and butter, creates a rich, luxurious flavor that pairs perfectly with the tender clams. Whether served as a main dish or an appetizer, this dish is sure to satisfy your seafood cravings. Paired with some crusty bread or fries, it’s a comforting, hearty meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes!