Easy Shrimp Orzo Delight Recipe: Zesty Comfort in Every Bite

Shrimp orzo blends Mediterranean magic with oceanic elegance, creating a culinary symphony that dances across taste buds.

Coastal ingredients weave together in harmonious proportions, promising a delightful dining experience.

Mediterranean-inspired dishes often capture the essence of simple yet sophisticated cooking techniques.

Delicate seafood mingles with perfectly textured pasta, upgradeing ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Each forkful carries whispers of sunlight-kissed shores and traditional family recipes passed through generations.

Vibrant colors and aromatic herbs promise a sensory journey that transcends typical weeknight dinners.

Prepare to elevate your cooking repertoire with this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Tips for Serving Shrimp Orzo Delight

• Prep Shrimp Perfectly: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming.
• Master Skillet Technique: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet to distribute heat evenly and create a delicious caramelized crust on shrimp and orzo.
• Spice Balance Matters: Adjust seasoning gradually, tasting as you go to create a harmonious blend of smoked paprika, Italian herbs, and salt.
• Liquid Control: Monitor chicken stock closely while cooking orzo to prevent sticking and achieve the ideal creamy, tender texture.
• Fresh Ingredient Finale: Add spinach and artichokes at the last moment to maintain their vibrant color and prevent overcooking.

How to Store and Warm Up Shrimp Orzo Delight

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover Shrimp Orzo Delight to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Protect the dish from absorbing other food odors by using a glass or hard plastic container with a secure lid.
• Reheating: Gently warm the orzo in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until the shrimp reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain the dish's creamy texture.
• Freezing: While possible, the cream and delicate shrimp might slightly change texture when frozen.

Best Sides for Shrimp Orzo Delight

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the shrimp's delicate flavor and cut through the creamy sauce.
• Match with Fresh Mediterranean Salad: Create a light Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta cheese to balance the rich, creamy orzo and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare a warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture to the meal's soft components.
• Finish with Lemon Sorbet: Offer a light, tangy lemon sorbet as a palate cleanser that echoes the bright flavors in the shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes.

Shrimp Orzo Delight Customizations

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace shrimp with grilled chicken and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Blend: Swap shrimp for blackened cod and incorporate roasted corn, black beans, and a chipotle cream sauce.
• Vegetarian Harvest: Substitute shrimp with roasted mushrooms, add butternut squash, and use vegetable stock for a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Lemony Herb Coastal: Enhance the dish with fresh dill, lemon zest, and replace artichokes with grilled asparagus for a bright, herbaceous profile.

What Brings Shrimp Orzo Delight to Life

• Savor Flavor-Packed Seafood: Perfectly seasoned shrimp with smoked paprika and Italian herbs create an explosion of taste that elevates this simple one-pan meal.
• Enjoy Effortless Cooking: The streamlined method allows you to prepare a gourmet-style dish in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or quick weekend meals.
• Experience Creamy Texture Harmony: Tender orzo combined with wilted spinach, rich cream, and succulent shrimp delivers a luxurious, comforting mouthfeel that satisfies multiple texture cravings in one bite.
• Celebrate Mediterranean-Inspired Ingredients: Sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and herbs transport your taste buds to a coastal Mediterranean kitchen, offering a vibrant and fresh culinary experience without complex preparation.

Shrimp Orzo Delight Ingredient Line-Up

• Shrimp: Sweet, tender seafood that provides the main protein for the dish. Wild-caught or farm-raised options work well.
• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer that complements shrimp perfectly.

• Orzo: Small, rice-shaped pasta that creates a creamy, risotto-like texture. Choose high-quality Italian pasta for best results.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense, concentrated tomato flavor that adds depth to the dish. Look for oil-packed varieties for extra richness.
• Spinach: Fresh, nutrient-rich green that wilts beautifully and adds color. Baby spinach works best for tenderness.
• Artichokes: Tender, slightly tangy vegetable that brings unique Mediterranean flavor. Canned or jarred artichoke hearts are convenient.
• Italian Seasoning: Dried herb blend that provides classic Mediterranean herbs.
• Smoked Paprika: Smoky, sweet spice that gives a rich flavor to the shrimp.

• Chicken Stock: Provides moisture and depth of flavor for cooking orzo. Low-sodium stock allows better seasoning control.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky sauce that binds all ingredients together.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps with cooking. Extra virgin olive oil recommended.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, spicy note to the seasoning.

Preparing Shrimp Orzo Delight at Home

Step 1: Spice Up the Shrimp

Season shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and garlic; cook 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to a separate plate.

Step 2: Toast the Orzo

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Orzo
• Additional olive oil

Cook 2 minutes until orzo turns golden brown.

Step 3: Create the Liquid Base

Pour in chicken stock and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until orzo becomes tender, about 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Add Creamy Vegetables

• Spinach
• Artichokes
• Cream

Cook until spinach wilts and becomes vibrant green.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Return shrimp to the skillet and simmer until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Shrimp Orzo Delight!

Shrimp Orzo Delight Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired Shrimp Orzo Delight brings coastal flavors home with succulent shrimp nestled in creamy pasta. Herbed orzo and tender prawns create a perfect harmony that transports diners straight to a Greek seaside taverna.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 lb raw shrimp, large, peeled and deveined

Starches:

• 1 cup orzo, uncooked
• 2 cups chicken stock

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 14 oz artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 4 oz fresh spinach
• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy:

• 1 cup heavy cream

Oils and Spices:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for shrimp)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for orzo)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Elevate the shrimp with a robust spice blend of smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
2. Warm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then introduce seasoned shrimp and minced garlic, searing for approximately 2 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and opaque center.
3. Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a separate plate, preserving their succulence and preventing overcooking.
4. Utilize the same skillet to toast sun-dried tomatoes and orzo pasta with an additional tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to develop a rich, nutty flavor and achieve a light golden-brown color.
5. Pour of chicken stock into the skillet, adding a pinch of salt, and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
6. Allow the orzo to cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches an al dente texture and absorbs the flavorful liquid.
7. Fold in fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped artichoke hearts, and heavy cream, continuing to cook until spinach wilts and the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
8. Gently reintroduce the seared shrimp to the skillet, warming them through and allowing them to meld with the luxurious sauce.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed, ensuring a perfectly balanced final dish.

Notes

• Make sure to pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming.
• Use medium-high heat when cooking shrimp to achieve a beautiful caramelized exterior without overcooking the delicate protein.
• Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for extra flavor depth and a rich, concentrated tomato taste.
• Select chicken stock with low sodium to control salt levels and allow personal seasoning preference.
• Frozen spinach works as a quick alternative if fresh isn’t available, just squeeze out excess moisture before adding.
• Add cream at the end of cooking to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, silky sauce texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 250 mg