Skillet Shrimp with Orzo, Feta and Asparagus Recipe

Updated May 13, 2019

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This light, refreshing, simple dish combines some of my favorite ingredients: shrimp, feta and asparagus. (Anyone else love asparagus?) While I went with whole-wheat orzo, feel free to use regular orzo. Also, you can add grape tomatoes to make it a little saucier. Season the shrimp with dried oregano before cooking it to go with the Greek theme of this recipe.

Recipe Details

Skillet Shrimp with Orzo, Feta and Asparagus Recipe

Active 15 mins

Total 20 mins

Serves 4 servings

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Ingredients

1 cup (about 5 ounces) whole wheat orzo
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil, plus more for the pasta
2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes (optional)
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and roughly chopped into 2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
4 tablespoons fresh juice from 2 lemons
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Fill the skillet 2/3rds of the way with salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook according package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside, transfer to a bowl, and toss with a little vegetable or canola oil.
Wipe out skillet and return to medium high heat. Add oil and heat until shimmering. Add garlic and chili flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with salt and pepper and stir to coat the asparagus. Cook until the asparagus is tender but retains a crisp bite, 3 to 4 minutes. Move the asparagus to the sides of the pan and add the shrimp. Cook, turning shrimp occasionally, until pink and opaque, about 4 minutes total.
Add the orzo back to the pan, stirring to combine, along with most of the basil, the lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil and feta. Toss to combine, allow orzo to heat through, season to taste with more salt and pepper as desired, and serve immediately, topped with remaining basil.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
249	Calories
13g	Fat
26g	Carbs
9g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	249
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g	17%
Saturated Fat 4g	19%
Cholesterol 19mg	6%
Sodium 587mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate 26g	9%
Dietary Fiber 3g	10%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 12mg	59%
Calcium 127mg	10%
Iron 2mg	10%
Potassium 254mg	5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.