One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo
Quick shrimp cooked in a lemon-garlic sauce with orzo for a light, flavorful dinner ready in 20 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined shrimp, orzo pasta, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 395 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and 1/4 juiced lemon
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add shrimp, salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 3: Add orzo, chicken broth, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup lemon juice to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, parsley, and cooked shrimp. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly, then serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep peeled and deveined shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo?
Mediterranean one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My husband and I made this for a romantic dinner and it was a hit. The sauce clung perfectly to the orzo—so easy and elegant!
- ★★★★★
My kids actually ate shrimp for once! The one-pot simplicity saved me during a chaotic week, and the fresh lemon made it feel fancy.
- ★★★★★
This is now my go-to dinner for busy nights! The lemon-garlic combo is perfection, and the orzo soaks up all the flavors. Made it for my date night and got compliments!
