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Greek Shrimp Orzo

A Bright, 30-Minute Mediterranean Winner that's fast, flavorful, and a little fancy, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces orzo about 1¾ cups
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined tail-on or tail-off
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion (or 1 shallot), finely chopped
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes, drained)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ cup dry white wine optional — or replace with extra broth
  • 1 cup baby spinach or arugula optional, for color and greens
  • ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 each Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • a pinch red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the shrimp dry and season lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of oregano. Zest and juice the lemon. Halve the tomatoes and olives. Have your broth measured and nearby.
Searing the Shrimp
  1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. Add the shrimp in a single layer and sear 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
Sautéing Aromatics
  1. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then the onion/shallot. Cook 2–3 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Toasting the Orzo
  1. Add the dry orzo to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
Deglazing and Simmering
  1. Pour in the white wine (if using) to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce a minute, then add the broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, and oregano. Bring to a simmer.
Cooking the Orzo
  1. Simmer, uncovered, for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If adding spinach or arugula, stir it in during the last minute to wilt gently.
Finishing the Dish
  1. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes, olives, and half the feta. Toss gently to combine and warm the tomatoes and shrimp through for about 1–2 minutes.
Adjusting and Serving
  1. Taste and add salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice if needed. Sprinkle with remaining feta and chopped parsley. Serve family-style straight from the skillet.

Notes

Use frozen shrimp, thaw beforehand for quicker prep. For creamier texture, stir in Greek yogurt or cream at the end off the heat. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2–3 days.