Description
Sizzling Mexican-spiced shrimp and orzo skillet combines zesty seafood with hearty pasta in one pan. Spices from Mexico dance with tender shrimp, creating a quick meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (26 to 30 per pound), thawed if frozen
- 1 ½ cups (270 g) dried orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 oz (57 g) queso fresco cheese, crumbled (½ cup)
- 2 tsp Mexican seasoning blend
- 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
- Lime wedges and avocado slices, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Caramelize onions in a large skillet until translucent, creating a flavor foundation for the dish.
- Toast Orzo: Introduce minced garlic and raw orzo, stirring to develop a rich, nutty essence and prevent sticking.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Combine diced tomatoes, chicken broth, whole milk, and Mexican-inspired spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika) into the skillet, creating a vibrant cooking medium.
- Create Creamy Base: Elevate heat to generate a rapid simmer, continuously stirring to transform orzo into a luxurious, tender mixture with reduced liquid consistency.
- Season Shrimp: Coat shrimp with a dynamic spice blend of chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor coverage.
- Integrate Seafood: Gently embed seasoned shrimp into the partially cooked orzo, allowing them to settle into the creamy landscape.
- Finish Cooking: Sprinkle queso fresco over the shrimp, cover the skillet, and steam until shrimp transform to a complete pink hue, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Adorn with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and delicate avocado slices, then present the skillet immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Prevent Orzo Sticking: Continuously stir orzo during toasting to avoid clumping and ensure even, nutty flavor development.
- Spice Balance: Blend Mexican spices carefully to create a harmonious, robust flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate shrimp.
- Shrimp Cooking Technique: Arrange shrimp in a single layer and steam gently to maintain tenderness and prevent overcooking.
- Garnish Impact: Add fresh cilantro, lime, and avocado just before serving to enhance brightness and provide contrasting textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg