Description
This vibrant Lemon Orzo with Shrimp, Feta & Spinach is a quick and flavorful one-pan dish combining tender shrimp sautéed to perfection, creamy orzo infused with lemon zest and juice, fresh spinach, and salty feta cheese. It’s an easy yet elegant meal perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Proteins and Dairy
- 12 raw shrimp deveined
- 2/3 cup feta cut into small cubes
- 2 tbsp butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 cups spinach
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Seasonings
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp salt (plus additional to taste)
- 1/4 tsp pepper (plus additional to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: In a large pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Generously season the shrimp with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, then add them to the pan. Sauté the shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and finely diced onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
- Cook Orzo: Add the orzo and chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the orzo is creamy and tender, ensuring it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add Lemon and Spinach: Once the orzo is creamy and liquid absorbed, stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Add the fresh spinach and stir it into the orzo until wilted.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan along with the cubed feta cheese. Stir gently to combine everything evenly. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when cooking the shrimp.
- If fresh spinach is unavailable, frozen chopped spinach can be used; just thaw and drain excess water before adding.
- To keep the shrimp tender, avoid overcooking them; they cook quickly and turn rubbery if cooked too long.
- For a dairy-free option, omit butter and feta, and use olive oil instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
