Mediterranean Baked Shrimp and Orzo with Chickpeas and Dill
This flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish combines juicy jumbo shrimp, tender orzo pasta, and hearty chickpeas, all baked to perfection with the bright flavors of lemon and fresh dill. Served with roasted fennel, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives, this easy one-pan meal is not only wholesome but also incredibly satisfying. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or for entertaining guests, this shrimp and orzo dish is a delightful harmony of textures and tastes that will transport your palate to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Jumbo shrimp
1 lb (peeled and deveined)
Kosher salt
to taste
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons, plus more for serving
Fennel bulb
1 large (halved, cored, and thinly sliced)
Garlic cloves
4 (peeled and smashed)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon
Orzo pasta
1/2 lb
Chickpeas
1 (15 oz) can (drained and rinsed)
Cherry tomatoes
1 pint
Kalamata olives
1 cup (pitted and halved)
Dill
1/3 cup (coarsely chopped, plus additional for serving)
Lemon
1 (zested, plus additional wedges for serving)
Dry white wine
2/3 cup
Low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups
Feta cheese
5 ounces (coarsely crumbled, for serving)
Instructions
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1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
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2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season them generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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3. In a large, ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat. Once shimmering, add the shrimp in a single layer.
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4. Sear the shrimp for about 1 ½ minutes per side until lightly golden; if needed, add an additional tablespoon of olive oil halfway through to prevent sticking. Once cooked, transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
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5. Lower the heat to medium-high and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Then, add the sliced fennel, smashed garlic cloves, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the fennel is softened and lightly golden.
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6. Stir in the orzo pasta, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, halved olives, chopped dill, and lemon zest. Mix well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
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7. Pour in the dry white wine and let it reduce for 30 seconds, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate.
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8. Add the low-sodium chicken broth and stir to incorporate. Return the shrimp to the skillet, nestling them into the mixture as evenly as possible.
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9. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
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10. Bake for 4 minutes, then stir gently. Continue baking for an additional 4 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and fully cooked.
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11. Remove from the oven and serve immediately, drizzling with extra olive oil and topping with additional chopped dill, lemon wedges, and crumbled feta cheese for added richness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Baked Shrimp and Orzo with Chickpeas and Dill?
This is a flavorful one-pan meal combining jumbo shrimp, orzo pasta, and chickpeas baked with lemon, fresh dill, fennel, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives.
What size shrimp should I use for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for jumbo shrimp, which should be peeled and deveined before cooking.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) for baking this dish.
How should the shrimp be prepared before searing?
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season them generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How long do I sear the shrimp?
Sear the shrimp for about 1 1/2 minutes per side until they are lightly golden.
What kind of skillet is needed?
You should use a large, ovenproof skillet since the dish moves from the stovetop to the oven.
How do I prepare the fennel bulb?
The fennel bulb should be halved, cored, and thinly sliced before cooking.
How do I prepare the garlic cloves?
The recipe calls for 4 garlic cloves that have been peeled and smashed.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, which adds a mild kick.
How do I prepare the chickpeas?
Use one 15 oz can of chickpeas, ensuring they are drained and rinsed before adding them to the skillet.
What kind of olives are recommended?
The recipe uses 1 cup of pitted and halved Kalamata olives.
How is the lemon used in this dish?
The lemon is zested for the main mixture, and the remainder is cut into wedges for serving.
What type of wine is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of dry white wine to help concentrate the flavors.
How long should the wine reduce?
Let the wine reduce for about 30 seconds to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
What liquid is used to cook the orzo?
The recipe uses 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth as the primary cooking liquid.
How long is the total baking time?
The dish is baked for a total of 8 minutes: 4 minutes, then stirred, then another 4 minutes.
What should the texture of the orzo be?
The orzo should be tender and fully cooked after the 8-minute baking period.
What are the suggested garnishes for serving?
Serve the dish drizzled with extra olive oil and topped with additional chopped dill, lemon wedges, and crumbled feta cheese.
How much feta cheese is needed?
The recipe suggests using 5 ounces of coarsely crumbled feta cheese for serving.
How much dill is used in the mixture?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of coarsely chopped dill inside the dish.
What type of pasta is orzo?
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that works perfectly in this Mediterranean baked dish.
Can I use more olive oil if the shrimp sticks?
Yes, if needed, you can add an additional tablespoon of olive oil halfway through searing the shrimp.
How do I know the fennel is cooked?
The fennel is ready when it is softened and lightly golden, which takes about 4 minutes of sautéing.
When do I add the shrimp back into the pan?
Nestle the seared shrimp back into the mixture after adding the chicken broth but before placing the skillet in the oven.
What heat setting is used for sautéing the vegetables?
Lower the heat to medium-high after searing the shrimp to cook the fennel and garlic.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 16 ingredients in total.
Is this dish considered a one-pan meal?
Yes, it is designed as an easy one-pan meal that transitions from the stove to the oven.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as shrimp, orzo, baked, chickpeas, Mediterranean, dinner, easy recipe, and seafood.
Does the recipe specify a serving size?
The provided data does not specify exact servings or nutritional information like calories and fat.
What should I do right before putting the pan in the oven?
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil on the stovetop before transferring it to the preheated oven.