Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Juicy shrimp cooked in a lemon-garlic sauce tossed with tender orzo pasta and fresh spinach for a bright, easy, one-skillet dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, orzo pasta, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 390 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb medium peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp olive oil and 5 minced garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta and stir to coat with the garlic oil. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 4 cups packed fresh spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
  5. Step 5: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet along with 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Stir gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.

Related recipes