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Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo Skillet

Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo Skillet - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring juicy shrimp and buttery orzo pasta, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170g)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  3. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Stir in orzo and toast lightly for 1-2 minutes until nutty smelling.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Stir to combine, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. Return shrimp to the skillet, nestle into orzo, and cook uncovered for 2 minutes to warm through and blend flavors.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top before serving.

Notes

Use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter version. Substitute orzo with couscous or quinoa for gluten-free. Vegan butter and coconut aminos can replace butter and chicken broth for dairy-free and vegan options. Toast orzo before simmering to prevent sticking and add nuttiness. Avoid overcrowding shrimp to ensure proper searing. Add extra broth if orzo looks dry during cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp, orzo, garlic butter, quick dinner, easy skillet meal, weeknight dinner, one-pan meal

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