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Shrimp and Orzo Risotto with Saffron and Lemon

By Alli Berkey

Published on June 17, 2019

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Shrimp and Orzo Risotto with Saffron and Lemon

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped fine2 garlic cloves, minced1 ½ cups orzo 4 cups chicken broth 1 ¾ teaspoons table salt, divided½ teaspoon pepper, divided½ teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed¼ cup chopped fresh parsley ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice

Before You Begin

We prefer untreated shrimp—those without added salt or preservatives such as sodium tripolyphosphate.

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add orzo and cook until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth, 1¼ teaspoons salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and saffron and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until orzo is just tender, about 12 minutes.
  2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir shrimp into risotto and cook, covered, until shrimp are opaque throughout, about 5 minutes. Off heat, stir in parsley and lemon zest and juice. Serve.
Shrimp and Orzo Risotto with Saffron and Lemon
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Ashley Moore.

Shrimp and Orzo Risotto with Saffron and Lemon

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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups orzo
4 cups chicken broth
1 ¾ teaspoons table salt, divided
½ teaspoon pepper, divided
½ teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups orzo
4 cups chicken broth
1 ¾ teaspoons table salt, divided
½ teaspoon pepper, divided
½ teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups orzo
4 cups chicken broth
1 ¾ teaspoons table salt, divided
½ teaspoon pepper, divided
½ teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice

Why This Recipe Works

Using quick-cooking orzo rather than the traditional Arborio rice, we created a risotto in half the time.

Before You Begin

We prefer untreated shrimp—those without added salt or preservatives such as sodium tripolyphosphate.

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add orzo and cook until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth, 1¼ teaspoons salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and saffron and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until orzo is just tender, about 12 minutes.
  2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir shrimp into risotto and cook, covered, until shrimp are opaque throughout, about 5 minutes. Off heat, stir in parsley and lemon zest and juice. Serve.

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