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Easy Lazy Weeknight Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo Recipe for Perfect Dinner

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A quick and easy lemon garlic shrimp orzo dish perfect for weeknight dinners, combining bright lemon flavors with tender shrimp and garlicky orzo.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp, fresh or thawed
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel and devein the shrimp if needed. Mince the garlic and zest the lemon, then juice it separately. Chop the fresh parsley and set aside. This prep takes about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the uncooked orzo to the skillet and stir well to coat with the garlic oil. Toast lightly for 2-3 minutes until a faint nutty smell develops.
  4. Pour in 2 1/2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more broth or water if needed.
  5. While the orzo simmers, season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  6. When the orzo is tender and most broth absorbed, fold in the cooked shrimp. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter until melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle fresh parsley on top, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; toast orzo for nuttiness; use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor; season in layers; stir gently when combining shrimp and orzo; multitask by cooking shrimp separately while orzo simmers. For dairy-free, omit butter or use plant-based alternative. Optional additions include red pepper flakes for heat, baby spinach for greens, or sun-dried tomatoes and feta for a Mediterranean twist.

Nutrition

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

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