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Flavorful Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo

lemon garlic shrimp orzo - featured image
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A quick and easy homemade dinner featuring tender shrimp sautéed in garlicky butter with bright lemon over fluffy orzo pasta, enhanced with fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (optional)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or dill, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Set aside.
  2. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add cooked orzo to the skillet, stirring to coat with sauce. Return shrimp to the pan and toss gently to combine and warm through. Cook for another 2 minutes.
  7. Remove skillet from heat and stir in chopped parsley and basil or dill. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth. If too thin, simmer longer. Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Orzo should be slightly undercooked before adding to sauce. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with quinoa. For dairy-free, omit butter and Parmesan or use plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic shrimp, shrimp orzo, easy dinner, quick shrimp recipe, fresh herbs, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/flavorful-lemon-garlic-shrimp-orzo-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-fresh-herbs/