Creamy Lemon Orzo with Garlic Butter Prawns

This Creamy Lemon Orzo with Garlic Butter Prawns is a fresh and flavour-packed meal that’s quick and easy to make. Juicy king prawns cooked in a rich garlic butter and lemon sauce are stirred through silky orzo with crème fraîche, lemon zest, and baby spinach. Light yet indulgent, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels restaurant-worthy.
Servings: 2 yield(s)
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Ingredients
    For the garlic butter prawns
  • 300 g raw King prawns (peeled & deveined)
  • 20 g butter
  • 3 garlic cloves (peeled & crushed)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • sea salt & pepper (freshly ground)
    • For the orzo
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion (peeled & finely chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (peeled & crushed)
  • 200 g orzo pasta
  • 500 ml chicken stock
  • 1 lemon (zest only)
  • 120 g creme fraiche
  • 2 large handfuls of baby spinach
  • sea salt & pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
  1. For the garlic butter prawns, melt the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the prawns and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Season the shrimp with lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in another large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted.
  3. Pour in the chicken stock and lemon zest, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Stir in the crème fraiche, spinach and cooked prawns with garlic butter into the creamy orzo. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Serve the creamy lemon orzo with garlic butter prawns hot, garnished with additional lemon zest and wedges if desired. Enjoy!