Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Toasted Orzo, Capers & Feta

One-Pan Lemon-Garlic Shrimp
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Toasted Orzo, Capers & Feta

The secret to this delicious lemon-garlic shrimp and orzo is deeply toasting the orzo in olive oil before adding the garlic, seasonings, and chicken broth. This simple step gives the pasta a beautiful golden-brown color and a wonderful nutty flavor. Everything comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes, and there’s no need to defrost the shrimp ahead of time.

As the orzo simmers in the seasoned broth, frozen shrimp are added directly to the skillet to cook gently alongside the pasta. Briny capers and fresh lemon juice complement the shrimp, while a finishing sprinkle of crumbled feta and Italian parsley brings everything together.

It’s a quick, satisfying Mediterranean-inspired dinner with very little preparation, just one pan, and plenty of flavor.

Shrimp with Toasted Orzo Recipe

Ingredients

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for finishing

1 c. orzo

3 large garlic cloves, minced

1/2 t. sweet paprika

Pinch of red pepper flakes

2 c. low-sodium chicken broth, plus more if needed

1 dozen extra-large frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 to 3 T. capers, drained

2 T. fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste

Fine sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/3 to 1/2 c. crumbled feta

Lemon slices and fresh Italian parsley, for garnish

Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Toasted Orzo, Capers & Feta

Method

Toast the Orzo

Heat olive oil in a large, wide skillet over medium heat. Add the orzo and cook, stirring frequently, for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, until deeply golden brown and fragrant. Take care not to burn the pasta.

Add the Aromatics

Add garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring continuously so the garlic doesn’t brown.

Simmer in Broth

Pour in chicken broth and season lightly with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for approximately 7 to 9 minutes. The orzo should be partially cooked but still firm. Deeply toasted orzo may require a little additional cooking time.

Add the Frozen Shrimp

Nestle the frozen shrimp directly into the skillet, distributing them throughout the orzo. Cover and simmer gently for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through and the orzo is tender.

The frozen shrimp will release some liquid as they thaw. If the orzo becomes dry before it is fully cooked, add a splash of additional chicken broth as needed. The finished dish should be moist, with a little sauce coating the pasta.

Finish with Lemon and Capers

Stir in capers and fresh lemon juice. Cook for another 30 seconds, then remove from heat.

Taste and adjust with additional lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper as needed. Remember that both the capers and feta contribute saltiness.

Serve

Spoon the shrimp and toasted orzo into shallow bowls. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Scatter crumbled feta over the top, garnish with fresh Italian parsley and lemon slices. Serves 2 generously.

Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Toasted Orzo, Capers & Feta

Cook’s Notes

Why Toast the Orzo?

Toasting the orzo deeply in olive oil before adding liquid develops a delicious nutty flavor and gives the pasta its distinctive golden-brown color. Unlike orzo boiled separately in water, the toasted pasta cooks directly in seasoned chicken broth, absorbing the garlic, paprika, and other flavors as it becomes tender.

Using Defrosted Shrimp

If using thawed shrimp instead of frozen, allow the orzo to cook in the broth until almost tender, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover, and simmer gently for approximately 2 to 4 minutes, depending on their size, until opaque and cooked through. Add a splash of broth if needed to keep the orzo moist.

Cooking Time

The cooking time may vary depending on how deeply the orzo is toasted, the size of the shrimp, and the heat of the simmer. Let the tenderness of the pasta and doneness of the shrimp determine when the dish is ready.