Description
A flavorful one pot dish featuring succulent garlic butter shrimp cooked with toasty orzo pasta in a rich chicken stock, finished with fresh parsley and a bright lemon touch. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that delivers gourmet taste with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and freshly zested
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Orzo and Cooking
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 ¼ cups chicken stock
Finishing Touches
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges, for spritzing
Instructions
- Marinate the Shrimp: In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Stir everything well to coat and let the shrimp marinate for 10 minutes to absorb the bright and spicy flavors.
- Toast the Orzo: Heat the butter in a large skillet or wide pan over medium heat until melted. Add the orzo and cook while stirring frequently, allowing it to become lightly golden and toasted, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the remaining minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release fragrance.
- Cook the Orzo: Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the orzo simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender and fluffy, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
- Add and Cook the Shrimp: Stir the marinated shrimp into the cooked orzo. Cover the pot again and continue cooking over low heat for another 5 to 8 minutes until the shrimp turn pink, opaque, and are fully cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish and squeeze some lemon juice over the shrimp and orzo for brightness. Optionally, stir in an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of melted butter for added richness. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra spritzing.
Notes
- Use peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience and best texture.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- Keep an eye on the orzo while toasting to prevent burning.
- Chicken stock can be substituted with vegetable stock for a lighter flavor.
- Melted butter added at the end enhances richness but can be skipped for a lighter dish.
