Description
This vibrant Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo recipe combines tender shrimp cooked in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce with toasted orzo pasta simmered in flavorful chicken stock. It’s an easy yet elegant one-pan meal perfect for a quick dinner that feels special. The dish is brightened with fresh parsley and a splash of white wine, offering Mediterranean flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 3 cups chicken stock (or seafood stock, or water), heated until boiling
- 1/4 tsp salt
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb raw shrimp
- 1/2 cup white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon, plus lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Toast Orzo: Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Add the orzo pasta and toast it for a couple minutes, stirring constantly, until some grains turn golden brown, enhancing its nutty flavor.
- Cook Orzo: Pour the boiling chicken stock into the pan with the toasted orzo. Add 1/4 tsp salt. Ensure the stock is boiling before reducing heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes until nearly all liquid is absorbed. Check texture; if still crunchy or too brothy, cook a bit longer. Set aside once done.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat 3 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Cook Shrimp: Add raw shrimp to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through.
- Deglaze and Finish Sauce: Pour in 1/2 cup white wine and juice of 1 lemon. Let the mixture bubble and reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors. Add the butter pieces and stir until melted into a smooth sauce. Season with salt to taste.
- Plate and Garnish: Spoon the lemon garlic shrimp and its sauce over the cooked orzo. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges if desired for extra brightness.
Notes
- For a low-carb option, substitute cauliflower rice for the orzo.
- Swap shrimp with scallops for a delicious variation.
- Add red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic for a spicy kick.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese for a creamy, tangy contrast.
- Mix in baby spinach or arugula for additional greens.
- Any pasta like spaghetti or linguine can be used; cook according to package instructions.
Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp, orzo pasta, seafood dinner, quick shrimp recipe, Mediterranean shrimp, one-pan dinner, garlic butter shrimp