Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Orzo
Tender shrimp cooked in a garlic butter sauce served over bright, citrusy orzo pasta tossed with fresh parsley. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 2 cups chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup orzo pasta and 1 tsp salt, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid and stir in 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Set aside.
- Step 2: While orzo cooks, heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes on one side until pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Flip the shrimp and pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are fully cooked and the sauce reduces slightly.
- Step 6: Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter until melted and the sauce is glossy.
- Step 7: Serve the garlic butter shrimp over the lemon parsley orzo, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Orzo take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon Parsley Orzo?
Mediterranean seafood 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.
