My Chicken and Shrimp Orzo Paella could be on your dinner table tonight. It’s easy to make, healthy and delicious! So what are you waiting for?
The combination of these flavors with a subtle hint of saffron, the smokiness of the paprika, and the hint of oregano add a lot to this dish. And the holy trinity of veggies, onions, peppers, and celery paired with garlic and tomatoes make it even more delicious!
What Ingredients do you need to make Orzo Paella?
Let’s start by gathering our ingredients for my Shrimp and Chicken Orzo Paella. In chef speak this is called the mise en place. All you need is a few ingredients and you’re ready to get cooking. I did add clams to my version and forgot to add them to this pic, but they are optional.
How do I cook Orzo Paella?
You can personalize this dish using just chicken and adding sausage. Including more seafood as I did with the clams is also a good option. You can also substitute the Orzo with Whole Wheat Orzo, white or Brown Rice or any of your favorite grains.
I hope you enjoyed this not so classical orzo paella recipe. It’s one of my Restaurant Style Dishes that you can prepare faster than picking up takeout in your own home tonight at a fraction of the cost of dining out at your favorite restaurant.
What is Orzo?
My friends are always asking me what is Orzo? Orzo (also known as risoni) is a form of short-cut pasta, shaped like a large grain of rice. In Italian orzo literally translates to barley.
Here are some other recipes you may like:
Chicken and Shrimp Orzo Paella
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- olive oil for saute
- 8 jumbo gulf shrimp peeled and deveined
- 12 small clams washed littlenecks or pasta clams, optional
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 4 stalks of celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 ½ cups orzo or whole wheat orzo
- 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes in juice organic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- pinch of saffron threads
- 2 tablespoon cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
- mix flour with smoked paprika, oregano, sea salt and black pepper
- dredge chicken thighs in seasoning mix coating both sides fully
- heat pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil
- saute chicken thighs in pan 2 minutes per side to get good color
- remove chicken from pan and add additional olive oil
- add peppers, onions, celery and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes
- add shrimp into the veggie mixture for a minute to cook partially then remove shrimp from the pan
- add orzo, tomatoes, chicken stock and saffron and mix well cook for 2 minutes stirring well so orzo doesn’t stick
- add chicken thighs and clams on top of the mixture, turn the heat down to low and allow to cook fully (10 minutes)
- at about 7 minutes into the cooking add shrimp to the pan and replace the lid
- stir the mixture together as needed to ensure the orzo doesn't stick to the pan
- Plate up your masterpiece and serve
- *make sure not to have the heat too high
Melissa Dixon
I have to try this because it includes all of my favorites but I can not believe I have not tried it yet. I need to attempt to make this soon, I bet it is delicious.
Kathy
This recipe looks amazing. I have never actually had paella before. I’m really interested to try it out.
Karen Morse
I am a little intimidated with paella recipes so I’ve never tried making it before. This looks soooo good though and I’d love to try it. I can’t believe it takes so little time to make!
Michelle Cantu
This looks absolutely delish! I am obsessed with paella and haven’t had it in forever.
Natalie
I believe the only time I have had Paella is when I was in Spain many years ago. I bet my family would really enjoy this recipe.
Tasheena
I’ve never made Orzo before. Looking forward to trying this recipe and making it for my family.
Melissa Chapman
Your recipes are second to none. The pictures are making me hungry and paella lovers will make this soon.
Amber Myers
I know my husband and kids would like this. They enjoy their shrimp. I might have to make this for dinner one night!
Ben
That looks so good. I love the combination of proteins over the rice. Very nice.
Brianne Tursi Manz
I love this recipe for ease of prep and it’s healthy. The spices really makes this jump out and sounds so delicious!
KIM CROISANT
Just printed this recipe and sharing with my husband. We just bought chicken and shrimp.
Alyssa
Yum! This looks SOOO good. I’ve always thought paella seemed intimidating, but this doesn’t seem too hard at all!
Lisa Favre
Orzo is one of my favorite pastas/grains to use. I have to try this because I know my family would love it.
Chubskulit Rose
It’s been a while since I had a good paella. I never had it with orzo but that’s an interesting combination.
Ricci
Now this looks delicious! I love orzo and havne’t made it in forever, I may to make this soon!