Next Post
The Best Simple Vegan Potato Salad.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Bringing together all the flavor with this Spicy Southern Style Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo. Golden seared shrimp in a creamy, spicy sauce that’s truly so delicious. This shrimp is made all in one skillet with fresh herbs, bell peppers, and a squeeze of lemon. It’s simple and quick cooking, yet roll your eyes back GOOD. Serve this skillet shrimp over a simple lemony basil orzo for a quick and easy summer dinner. This dish makes great use of those delicious herbs and garden bell peppers. It’s the 25-minute dinner that everyone will love!
There are two things I really love about summer shrimp recipes. One, shrimp cooks up in no time at all, so it usually makes for a quick and simple summer dinner. And two, shrimp can really take on so many flavor profiles. From spicy Mexican, to herby Italian, and in today’s case a little spicy southern flare.
I’m not sure what brought on the inspiration for this recipe, other than the fact that I knew I had a bag of shrimp in the freezer and needed a quick weeknight dinner. Sometimes the best inspiration really does comes from the ingredients you have on hand.
I remembered this creamy chicken lazone I shared last year. I LOVED that sauce so much. So I kind of based this recipe off of that. I used it for this shrimp with a few new additions and it turned out just delicious.
I love to give you guys simple and complete meals…all in one’s. Because in reality, when I develop recipes, I develop them as I would want to make them. And personally, I don’t want a recipe just for shrimp in a cream sauce. So we’re making a quick basil orzo to serve alongside the shrimp.
Start with the orzo since the shrimp cooks so fast. Simply boil it off and toss it together with olive oil, lots of fresh basil, lemon, and a pinch of salt. Nothing fancy, but I find it to be a nice switch up from say rice, which is often served with shrimp.
While the orzo cooks, make the shrimp
I tossed the shrimp with a mix of spices that’s essentially a homemade cajun seasoning blend. It’s one of my favorite spice mixes to keep on hand for quick meals like this.
Once the shrimp is tossed in the spices, just sear it in a skillet, then add a small pat of butter. Pull the shrimp out of the pan then toss in lots of bell peppers. Add a splash of wine, then some milk to create a creamy sauce. You can use any milk…nut milk, whole milk, or in my case goat milk…all will work.
Finish the sauce off with a small amount of parmesan cheese, then simply slide the shrimp right back in.
Now serve it up
At this point, the orzo should be finished and you can spoon the creamy sauce and shrimp over plates of warm orzo. As with a lot of my summer dishes, I like to top this with plenty of fresh herbs. Today it was basil.
If you’re feeling it, a side of beer bread would go really great with this dinner. It feels very southern and summery to me!
Then if you’re really trying to impress, make a side salad and you’ll have the perfect simple summer dinner. It’s fresh, bright and so delish!
Looking for other simple skillet recipes? Here are a few ideas:
20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Skillet Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Southern Style Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Southern Style Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 634 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound orzo pasta
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- juice from 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon plus 1-2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup milk or heavy creamy
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and add it right back to the hot pot. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup basil, lemon juice, and season with salt.2. Meanwhile, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning.3. In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the shrimp and cook on both sides until seared, about 2-3 minutes per side. Add the butter, then remove the shrimp from the pan. 4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, bell peppers, garlic, and thyme. Cook another 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the wine. Simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Then add the milk, parmesan, and 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Slide the shrimp into the sauce, simmer 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in a handful of basil.5. Spoon the orzo onto plates, then spoon the shrimp and sauce over the orzo. Top with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Homemade Cajun Seasoning: mix 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Makes 3/4 cup.
this recipe is so good, i cook it for my family all the time!!!
Hi Amani,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Love! However When I added the milk and Parmesan my cheese just balled up into clumps… my sauce definitely doesn’t look like the pictures 🙁 advice for next time!?
Hi Erica,
So glad the recipe was enjoyed!! You want to make sure the sauce is bubbling when you add the milk and cheese. Also, be sure that your dairy products are at room temp and that you are using real parmesan cheese. I hope this helps for next time! xx
Any way I can add broccolini without ruining it? I desperately wanted to make something with broccolini, just haven’t found a recipe that I thought might sound good. Also any chance I could add fresh mozzarella without ruining it? Honestly I don’t have any idea how these would affect the recipe. Other than I’m kind of craving them in addition to the ingredients in this recipe! Thanks for a quick reply. I really want to try to make this tomorrow
Hey Heather,
Here are some recipes where broccolini would work well:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/20-minute-cranberry-orange-stir-fry/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/broccoli-rabe-burrata-pizza/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/30-minute-teriyaki-chicken-with-sesame-ginger-broccoli/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/20-minute-peanut-noodle-soup-with-lime-mango/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Another new family favorite! Everyone loved it!!
Hey Kathryn,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! ? xx
This was so delicious! Loved the green peppers , the sauce, it was all really tasty. Quick and easy, as well.
Hi Betsy,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go!! ☘️Tieghan
This recipe was so good. An easy meal with a lot of flavor and it heats up great for leftovers as well!
Hi Ashley,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
I think this may be my favorite meal of all time! This sauce is incredible. Thank you, Tieghan!
Hey Coley,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend:) xT
This is such a great easy recipe. A family favorite. Thank you!
Hey Julie,
Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit. Have the best week:) xx
I made this last night for my husband and I, but swapped out the heavy cream for coconut milk and the wine for chicken broth and added cauliflower for a little more veggies and WOW this was so good. Will definitely be on the rotation!
Hey Taylor,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a try!! xxT
Hi! Can you make the shrimp/sauce separately and put over rice?
Hey Casey,
Totally! That will work well for you:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Wow! This was so good. Quick to put together. So much flavor
Hey Sue,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it. Have the best week:) xT
I left you a DM but I made this tonight very tasty but I didn’t even think about the frozen shrimp steps! It was super liquidy from the water I think so the sauce didn’t thicken exactly right. Any advice for next time? Thank you!
Hey Olivia,
Happy Friday!! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! I would thaw the shrimp first next time:) xxT
This was so simple and so delicious! It will definitely be added to the rotation. I loved how light it was despite being a pasta. I used the Cajun blackened seasoning from Savory Spice Shop and shrimp from Sea2Table. Thank you for the great recipe!
Hey Leslie,
Wonderful!! I am so so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks a bunch for making it! xT
Making this again tonight! Your homemade Cajun seasoning is the best I have ever used!!
Hi Heather,
Happy Friday!! Love hearing that you enjoy this recipe, I so appreciate you giving it a try! xxT
My family loved it… instead of shrimp I substituted Patagonia Scallops. A very nice sauce. I’d love to know what brand of blackening seasoning you use or do you make your own? Thank you
Hi Kim,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Are you referring to the cajun seasoning? I order mine from Thrive Market. Have the best week! xTieghan