Cast Iron Shrimp and Creamy Cilantro Lime Orzo

5 from 1 vote

Cast Iron Shrimp and Creamy Cilantro Lime Orzo

Spicy shrimp charred on the cast iron, over a creamy cheddar cilantro lime orzo, cooked with jalapenos and shallots. Topped with a cilantro lime avocado crema

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Marinate1

Total Time2

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 498kcal

Author: Vincent DelGiudice

Cost: $15

Equipment

1 cast iron pan

Ingredients

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup orzo
¾ cup cheddar cheese
1 jalapeno, chopped
1 shallot, thinly sliced,
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
¼ cup heavy cream
2 cups chicken broth
⅓ cup white wine
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoon olive oil.
1 lime, juiced and zested

Instructions

Combine shrimp, garlic, olive oil, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Cover and marinate for 1 hour.
In a 10-inch cast iron pan, bring 1 tablespoon of olive oil to medium-high heat. Fry each side of shrimp for 2 minutes or until cooked through. Set shrimp aside.
In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and then add shallots and jalapeno. Saute until softened. Then stir in the orzo, and stir for 2 minutes to toast. The orzo should turn a darker yellow color.
Add white wine and simmer and stir until the wine is completely absorbed by the orzo. Add chicken broth and cover. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the orzo has absorbed the chicken broth.
Remove the cover and stir in the lime, lime zest, and cilantro. Then stir in the heavy cream and the cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted. Serve topped with shrimp and avocado or avocado crema

Notes

1. When trying to get a nice char on shrimp, it's always a good idea to dry the shrimp thoroughly before seasoning!
2. Toasting orzo makes all the difference in flavor. Don't skip step 3. Watch for the orzo to take on that yellow color before deglazing the pan with the white wine.

Nutrition