Description
A quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring creamy orzo pasta with tender shrimp, fresh vegetables, and a hint of lemon and basil. This easy skillet recipe combines savory spices, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy broth for a wholesome dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 ½ pounds raw shrimp (thawed, deveined, tail-off)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ white onion, finely diced
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 3 cups chopped broccoli
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper chili flakes (optional)
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, removed from oil and chopped
Liquids & Pasta
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup light coconut milk or half and half
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
Finishing Touches
- 2 cups baby spinach, loosely chopped
- Juice from ½ of a lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan, optional
- ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cook the shrimp: Salt and pepper the shrimp. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until shrimp turns opaque and is cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables and aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, diced onion, chopped broccoli, salt, paprika, pepper, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes to soften the vegetables and release flavors.
- Simmer orzo in creamy broth: Pour in the chicken broth, coconut milk, and add the uncooked orzo. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-12 minutes or according to the orzo package instructions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensuring the orzo absorbs the liquid.
- Add shrimp and greens: Once the orzo is tender and al dente, stir in the cooked shrimp, baby spinach, and lemon juice. Mix until the spinach wilts and everything is evenly combined.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil slices if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy shrimp and orzo skillet meal.
Notes
- Save Time: Use pre-chopped broccoli to reduce prep time.
- Use pre-cooked shrimp to skip the shrimp cooking step; add shrimp when instructed to reheat.
- Make gluten-free by using gluten-free orzo.
- Dairy-free option: use coconut milk and omit parmesan cheese.
- Vegetarian or vegan option: omit shrimp and substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Nutrition info is estimated via My Fitness Pal and may vary depending on ingredients and measurements used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
