Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp with Orzo

DifficultyBeginner

Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp with Orzo is a bright, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that combines juicy, tender shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce with a zesty lemon finish, served over light, fluffy orzo pasta. This dish is Mediterranean-inspired, perfect for a weeknight meal or an elegant dinner.

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Yields4 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time25 minsTotal Time40 mins
 ½ kg large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
 1 tsp salt
 ½ tsp black pepper
 ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
 ½ tsp smoked paprika
 3 tbsp unsalted butter
 2 tbsp olive oil
 4 cloves garlic (minced)
 Zest of 1 lemon
 Juice of 1 lemon
 ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
 ½ tsp dried oregano
For the Orzo
 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
 4 cups chicken broth (or water)
 1 tbsp olive oil
 ½ tsp salt
 ½ tsp black pepper
 ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
 1 tbsp lemon juice
For Garnish
 Fresh parsley (chopped)
 Lemon zest
 Extra Parmesan cheese
Cook the Orzo
1
  • Boil the Orzo:
    • In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil.
    • Add orzo pasta, salt, and olive oil.
    • Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender.
  • Drain and Season:
    • Drain any excess liquid and stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.
    • Set aside while cooking the shrimp.
Cook the Shrimp
2
  • Season the Shrimp:
    • In a bowl, toss the shrimp with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
  • Sauté Garlic and Butter:
    • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Cook the Shrimp:
    • Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.
    • Cook for 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
  • Add Lemon and Herbs:
    • Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, and fresh parsley.
    • Simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Assemble and Serve
3
  • Plate the Orzo:
    • Spoon the cooked orzo onto plates or a serving dish.
  • Top with Shrimp:
    • Place the garlic butter shrimp on top.
  • Garnish:
    • Sprinkle with extra parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Pair with a Side:
    • Serve with crusty bread, a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables.
Pro Tips
4
  • For Extra Creaminess: Stir in a splash of heavy cream to the orzo.
  • Make It Spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • For a Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free orzo or swap it for quinoa.

 

Ingredients

 ½ kg large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
 1 tsp salt
 ½ tsp black pepper
 ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
 ½ tsp smoked paprika
 3 tbsp unsalted butter
 2 tbsp olive oil
 4 cloves garlic (minced)
 Zest of 1 lemon
 Juice of 1 lemon
 ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
 ½ tsp dried oregano
For the Orzo
 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
 4 cups chicken broth (or water)
 1 tbsp olive oil
 ½ tsp salt
 ½ tsp black pepper
 ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
 1 tbsp lemon juice
For Garnish
 Fresh parsley (chopped)
 Lemon zest
 Extra Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook the Orzo
1
  • Boil the Orzo:
    • In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil.
    • Add orzo pasta, salt, and olive oil.
    • Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender.
  • Drain and Season:
    • Drain any excess liquid and stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.
    • Set aside while cooking the shrimp.
Cook the Shrimp
2
  • Season the Shrimp:
    • In a bowl, toss the shrimp with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
  • Sauté Garlic and Butter:
    • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Cook the Shrimp:
    • Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.
    • Cook for 2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
  • Add Lemon and Herbs:
    • Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, and fresh parsley.
    • Simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Assemble and Serve
3
  • Plate the Orzo:
    • Spoon the cooked orzo onto plates or a serving dish.
  • Top with Shrimp:
    • Place the garlic butter shrimp on top.
  • Garnish:
    • Sprinkle with extra parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Pair with a Side:
    • Serve with crusty bread, a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables.
Pro Tips
4
  • For Extra Creaminess: Stir in a splash of heavy cream to the orzo.
  • Make It Spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • For a Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free orzo or swap it for quinoa.

Notes

Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp with Orzo
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