In just a few minutes you can serve up this comforting delicious Shrimp and Orzo Dinner and better yet, do it all in one pan!
Well hello fast and fresh dinner! Â This beautiful one pan meal is ready in…wait for it… 20 MINUTES! Â Ready, set, go and dinner is done!
Besides being easy and quick, this recipe is also healthy.  Shrimp is very low calorie and orzo is like baby pasta, so it must have only half the calories of regular pasta right?
What is Orzo?
- Orzo is simply pasta that’s shaped like rice! Â It tastes like pasta with a nice chewy texture. Â It’s small and cooks up quick so it’s perfect for one pot dinners!
Check out the video below and see how easy this dish is to make!
Start with a little chopped onion, fresh garlic and a bit of olive oil along with your orzo. Â While your onion and garlic are cooking your orzo is toasting!
Next, add your chicken stock.
Can I add a bit of cream?
- Â You bet! Â Simply sub 1/3 of the chicken stock with cream or half and half and you have Creamy 20 Minute Shrimp and Orzo Dinner!
What kind of Shrimp should I use?
- We used  medium 31-40 per pound.  Rumor has it it can be annoying to pluck the tails off while eating.  I like to  think of it as a ‘dinner activity’.  You can buy ‘no tail’ shrimp as well.
Once your shrimp is pink and the peas are cooked through, add a big squeeze of lemon, a handful of parmesan cheese and TASTE FOR SALT AND PEPPER…this is the step even good cooks forget. Â I am a notorious under salter!
My family doesn’t like peas…well at least one of them :). Â Got any substitute ideas?
- This recipe works great with just about any fresh vegetable. Â Broccoli, corn, asparagus just to name a few. Â Simply stir them in in place of the peas and cook until crisp tender.
Can I substitute chicken for the shrimp?
- Yes, yes and yes! Â Before beginning your onion orzo mixture, Â cube boneless chicken into 1-2 inch pieces. Â Sear for a couple minutes in a little olive oil until almost cooked through. Set aside. Â Then add back to the skillet in place of the shrimp. Â Take a look at our Chicken with Orzo skillet recipe.
Tips to make this Shrimp and Orzo Skillet:
- Use raw shrimp. Â Medium. Â 31-40 per pound. Â Tail or no tail…depends on if you don’t mind removing them while dining. Â I kinda like it. Â Food weirdo.
- Don’t like peas? Substitute broccoli or asparagus for the frozen peas (or use both and veggie it way up!).
- Substitute feta for the parmesan for a Greek spin.
- Great for lunch the next day, cold or warm,  and stays fresh in the fridge for a couple days.
We have about a dozen orzo recipes…it’s our fave pasta! Â You can see them all HERE!Check out our one pan Chicken and Orzo Skillet – another super fast and fresh one pot meal and our Lemon Orzo Soup recipe, so fresh tasting, perfect for spring or winter!
To fast, fresh and flavorful dinners that go boom!
Clink!
Kathi
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20 Minute One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium shrimp . Thawed if frozen. 31-40 count
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves large garlic chopped
- 1 cup Orzo pasta - uncooked
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 fresh lemon - half for juice, other half for garnish
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat large skillet to medium high heat.
- Add butter and olive oil. Heat until butter is melted.
- Add onion, garlic and orzo.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent and orzo is slightly toasted.
- Add chicken broth, salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is soft and just a small amount of liquid remains in the pan.
- Toss in the shrimp, lemon juice, peas and basil. Stir and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through and peas are warm. Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan, stir until combined.
- Garnish with lemon slices and additional grated parmesan.
Notes
NOTES To Make Shrimp and Orzo Skillet: Use raw shrimp.  Medium.  21-25 count.  Tail or no tail...depends on if you don't mind removing them while dining.  I kinda like it.  Food weirdo.Substitute broccoli or asparagus for the frozen peas or use both and veggie it way up!Substitute feta for the parmesan.Great for lunch the next day, cold or warm,  and stays fresh in the fridge for a couple days.
Nutrition
Janine says
My family enjoyed this dish very much, though I did make a few changes. I omitted the lemon and parmesan cheese, replaced about a 1/4 cup of the chicken broth with white wine, and used a tomato-basil feta. I also threw in some leftover asparagus I had in the fridge. Delicious!
LaughingSpatula.com says
Thats what I love about this dish Janine! You can make it a hundred different ways…love your additions!
SC YaYa says
Made this for dinner tonight for my husband and I. The only change I made was I used one cup chicken broth and one cup white wine..
Delicious. Will definitely make this again.
Nikitia Jones Meeks says
Ms Kathi I made this last week and my kids ate peas!!! “I can’t believe she (mom) snuck peas in here but it’s good,” (my 14y/o). Today is my sister in laws b-day and I’m surprising her with this meal for her family of eight. I love that you included a step to increase/decrease the meal amount. You’re awesome! Thank you. Niki
Jessica says
We made this last night and used the frozen peas and carrots mix. Also added saffron. It was so delicious- I’m obsessed!
Judy Stewart says
This is an excellent recipe and when I use my cast iron skillet to brown the orzo, it adds more flavor! Thanks foe the easy and tasty recipe. It’s one of my regulars now.
Holly says
I made this tonight for my whole family. It was easy to make and the only change I made was to add a bit of black pepper and garlic powder to make it a little more flavorful. I will definitely make it again. It was really delicious.
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
Thanks for the nice note Holly!
Anna says
Yummy! I think I could eat anything with Orzo 🙂 The shrimp, peas, and lemon were the perfect combo.
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
Thanks for the note Anna! We are so glad you liked it!
Shannon says
My family loves this recipe! Thank you for sharing it. The only thing I do differently is add feta cheese instead of parm.
LaughingSpatula.com says
Feta sounds like a great sub…yum!
Stella Toh says
First time cooking orzo and it turned out well! Thumbs up
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
Thank you Stella! I love this dish and still make it on a regular basis!
Marie Telesca says
I made this last nite and it was delicious. Very easy to make.
Shelley Brown says
Made this today. Very easy and it was delicious! Thank you!
Kathi Kirk says
I am so glad you liked it! I just made it last week :). Family fave!
Cindy says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was very tasty and easy!
Kathi Kirk says
Hi Cindy! I am so glad you liked it, thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
Beth says
I added Zucchini, asparagus and no peas.then 1/2 cup of white wine. it was excellent.
Taylor says
Oh this looks absolutely divine and like the perfect throw together weekday meal! I make a shrimp primavera regularly that is similar to this but the lemon just sounds like the perfect addition!
Kathi Kirk says
I love the idea of a primavera! More veggies!
Debra C. says
Looks just delish! I want to add, I don’t think you’re a food weirdo leaving the tails on ads more flavor and I think it’s prettier! Ok…maybe we’re both weird, but I like the way you think! 😀
Kathi Kirk says
ya us food weirdo’s have to stick together! Thanks for the nice comment!
Luci {Luci's Morsels} says
I love quick one-pot dinners for weekday nights – so easy to get a hot meal on the table at the end of a long day! Thanks for the tip to toast the orzo before cooking, I bet it adds an extra layer of awesomeness to the whole dish!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Kristine says
My daughter loves anything with shrimp and the fact that this is quick and easy to make means I can make it! LOL! Looks delicious, thanks!
Kathi Kirk says
Thank you for the nice comment Kristine!
Platter Talk says
I love seafood and shrimp is #1 on the list. Your pictures make me want to grab a spoon and grab some to taste! So simple and quick yet just perfect for a meal.
Kathi Kirk says
Thank you for the nice comment! I love your blog BTW!!! I’m a regular visitor!