Shrimp Orzo In Lemon Garlic Sauce
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
500 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
Greek, International
Shrimp Orzo In Lemon Garlic Sauce
Description
This recipe features large shrimp marinated briefly with garlic, lemon zest, chili flakes, and seasoning, then quickly seared to maintain their juiciness. The orzo is toasted in butter before cooking in a mixture of broth and white wine, infusing the pasta with depth. Fresh parsley and additional lemon juice finish the sauce for brightness. The balance of buttery richness, citrus tang, and light heat from chili flakes makes this a flavorful yet delicate main course.
The method involves cooking orzo covered until al dente, then pan-searing shrimp in batches to avoid crowding, which ensures proper caramelization. The sauce combines the shrimp's browned bits with butter and lingering lemon-garlic notes.
Serve this dish warm, optionally garnished with more fresh parsley or lemon wedges. It pairs well with simple steamed vegetables or a green salad for a complete meal. This recipe is suitable for those looking for a home-cooked seafood pasta with fresh, layered flavors.
Using broth instead of water to cook the orzo enhances flavor, and marinating the shrimp reduces cooking time while layering tastes. Adjust salt cautiously if using salted butter. The recipe notes mention alternatives like using water and adjusting cooking time for different broths.
Ingredients
- 1½ cup orzo pasta
- 2 lb Shrimp cleaned and deveined, large
- 1 shallot diced
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 cup white wine
- 3 cups broth vegetable or chicken. For cooking the orzo. You can also use equal amounts of water. See recipe notes.
- ½ cup parsley chopped, fresh leaves
- 2 lemon juiced and zested, plural
- 7 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- black pepper freshly ground
- salt sea salt
- red chili flakes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together shrimp, one tablespoon olive oil, one teaspoon lemon zest, a pinch or two red-pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and one garlic clove minced. Set aside to marinate. (You can do this step up to 1 hour in advance.)
- Add two tablespoons of butter to a medium pot set over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the orzo and cook, often stirring, until the orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary. Stir in the broth, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until orzo is al dente, about 12 minutes. If you are using water for cooking the orzo, add ½ a teaspoon of salt.
- While the orzo is cooking, heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add half the shrimp to the pan in one layer and cook undisturbed until they start turning pink, about 1 minute. Flip and cook for about 1 minute more, then remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
- In the same skillet, melt the rest of the butter.Add the diced shallot and remaining garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the reserved shrimp back to the pan with any juices that have accumulated. Add wine ( or broth), lemon juice, remaining lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and plenty of freshly ground pepper, and bring to a simmer. Let the wine reduce and finish cooking the shrimp, about 2 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook the shrimp.
- Serve immediately in bowls with the shrimp on top of the orzo. Pour over generously the lemon garlic sauce, a sprinkle of parsley, and more lemon juice if desired.
Notes
- Use salted or unsalted butter but adjust the added salt accordingly when cooking orzo and seasoning shrimp.
- Marinate shrimp up to 1 hour ahead for deeper flavor without extra salt initially; season again during cooking to taste.
- Broth or water can be used for cooking orzo; add salt if using water to enhance flavor.
- Cook orzo covered on low heat to achieve al dente texture, checking for doneness around 12 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 500 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 500kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 875mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 320mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1632IU | 33% |
| Vitamin C | 40mg | 44% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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