One Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo {Perfect For Busy Weeknights}!

We all need more quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes in our back pocket and this One Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo is a good one to add to the list!

You need just a handful of ingredients: shrimp, garlic, lemon, olive oil, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, orzo, and parsley. 

All you need to do is marinade the shrimp in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. While that marinading you toast some orzo in a skillet with butter and more garlic. Then you cook the orzo with chicken broth, stirring so the pasta becomes creamy and almost risotto-like. When the pasta has absorbed the broth you simply add the shrimp, cover and cook a few minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.

A quick, easy, one pot meal that is perfect for spring! We loved this and I would probably double the recipe next time so there was more of it! I would definitely make this again. 

 One Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo

Recipe from How Sweet Eats

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 2

1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 lemon, juiced and freshly zested

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

salt and pepper

1 cup orzo

2 tablespoons butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

2-1/4 cups chicken stock

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

lemon wedges, for spritzing

Note: The recipe as written makes 2 nice servings. I highly suggest doubling it if you want enough for 4-6 people.

In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with the olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, red pepper flakes and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Stir and let sit for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large skillet (a 12 inch works great) over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the orzo. Cook, stirring often, until the orzo is slightly golden and toasty. Stir in the 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Pour in the chicken stock and bring it to a boil. Reduce it to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook until the orzo absorbs all the liquid and is fluffed up, about 12-15 minutes.

Add in the shrimp mixture to the orzo and stir. Cover the pot again and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque and cooked through.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a spritz of lemon. I like to stir in another 1 to 2 tablespoons of melted butter for optimal flavor, but this is up to you. Serve immediately!

 One Pot Wonders @ IHCC