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25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo

25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo

I have a strict rule about shrimp on a weeknight: we do not cook it twice. Instead of searing the shrimp and setting it aside, we're going to simmer our starchy, glorious orzo right in a rich fire-roasted tomato broth. At the very end, we nestle the raw shrimp on top to gently poach in the steam. One pot, zero rubbery seafood, and a fiercely flavorful dinner on the table in 25 minutes flat.

Elena Reyes
Elena Reyes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
4
easy
dinner
one-pot30-minute-mealshrimpmediterranean+1

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Timeline

23 minutes
0m10m20m
Toast Orzo & Aromatics
2m
Build Tomato Broth
3m
Simmer Orzo
12m
Prep Garnishes
5m
Poach Shrimp
4m
Fold and Rest
2m

Ingredients

  • 1 lb large shrimp(peeled, deveined, tails removed)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil(extra virgin preferred)
  • 4 cloves garlic(minced)
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup dry orzo
  • 1 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes(do not drain)
  • 2 cups chicken broth(or vegetable broth)
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives(pitted and halved)
  • 4 oz feta cheese(buy a block and crumble it yourself)
  • 1 lemon(zested and juiced)
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill(roughly chopped)
  • to taste salt(Mentioned implicitly with 'season to taste' or as a general seasoning.)
  • to taste black pepper(Mentioned implicitly with 'season to taste' or as a general seasoning.)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp dried oregano, and 1 cup dry orzo. Sauté, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the orzo is beautifully golden and toasted.

    2 min

    Tip: Toasting the orzo adds a nutty flavor and helps it maintain its shape while simmering in the broth.

  2. 2

    Pour in 1 (14.5 oz can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes (juices included) and 2 cups chicken broth. Give it a good stir, making sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of your pan. Bring the mixture to a rapid, bubbling simmer.

    3 min

    Tip: Fire-roasted tomatoes are a major shortcut for building deep, smoky flavor fast without roasting veggies yourself. Don't drain them—we want all that tasty liquid!

  3. 3

    Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle bubble. Cover the pot and let simmer for 10-12 minutes. You must stir this every 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan, or the orzo will stick!

    12 min

    Tip: Orzo is thirsty and inherently sticky. Keep an eye on it. If it looks dry before the pasta is tender, splash in a little water or extra broth.

  4. 4

    While the orzo is bubbling away, use this time to prep your garnishes: chop your dill, crumble the feta, and halve the olives. No need to stand around!

    5 min

    Tip: Always buy block feta and crumble it yourself. Pre-crumbled feta is coated in anti-caking powder and won't melt into the sauce properly.

  5. 5

    Once the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed (but it still looks slightly saucy!), nestle 1 lb large shrimp into the top of the orzo in a single, even layer. Cover the pot, turn the heat down to low, and let the shrimp gently steam until opaque and pink.

    4 min

    Tip: This is the secret to perfect weeknight shrimp. The residual heat and steam poach them gently so they never turn into rubbery little erasers.

  6. 6

    Remove the pot from the heat. Gently fold in 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, 2 oz feta cheese (half of your crumbles), the zest and juice from 1 lemon, and 1/4 cup fresh dill. Top with the remaining 2 oz feta cheese. Let it rest in the pan for 2 minutes before serving.

    2 min

    Tip: Don't skip the resting time! Starch from the orzo combines with the feta to make a ridiculously creamy, cohesive sauce as it cools slightly.

Chef's Notes

Pantry tip: I always keep a bag of large raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp in my freezer. You can thaw them in a colander under cold running water in literally 10 minutes, making this a true last-minute dinner. Also, hear me out: do not walk away while your orzo is simmering! It has a magical ability to weld itself to the bottom of the pan if neglected. Set a 3-minute timer and give it a gentle scrape.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does 25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo take to make?

25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo takes about 25 minutes total. That includes 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for 25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for 25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo?

The main ingredients are: large shrimp, olive oil, garlic, dried oregano, dry orzo, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon, fresh dill, salt, black pepper.

What type of meal is 25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo?

25-Minute One-Pot Greek Shrimp & Feta Orzo is categorized as: dinner.