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Lemony Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, and Olives

By Diane Unger

Published on March 1, 2016

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Lemony Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, and Olives

Ingredients

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juiceSalt and pepper 1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling1 onion, chopped fine2 garlic cloves, minced2 cups orzo 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped coarse4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Before You Begin

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Instructions

  1. Mix lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and toss with lemon-salt mixture to coat; set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until orzo is coated with oil and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add broth, bring to boil, and cook, uncovered, until orzo is al dente, about 6 minutes. Stir in olives, 1/2 cup feta, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low, nestle shrimp into orzo, cover, and cook until shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup feta over top and drizzle with extra oil. Serve.
Lemony Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, and Olives

Lemony Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, and Olives

Headshot of Diane Unger
By Diane Unger
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups orzo
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped coarse
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups orzo
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped coarse
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups orzo
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped coarse
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking the orzo pilaf-style gives it extra flavor and allows you to control the slightly creamy consistency.

Before You Begin

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Instructions

  1. Mix lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and toss with lemon-salt mixture to coat; set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until orzo is coated with oil and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add broth, bring to boil, and cook, uncovered, until orzo is al dente, about 6 minutes. Stir in olives, 1/2 cup feta, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low, nestle shrimp into orzo, cover, and cook until shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup feta over top and drizzle with extra oil. Serve.

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