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
Nutrition
Betty
Great recipe I added 8cloves of garlic crushed to the making leftovers into soup for tonight loved it
Brandon Miller
Marvelous recipe, thank you so much! I swear I’ve made everything as you’ve said but mine doesn’t look nearly as good though, but the taste is just fantastic! My Orzo looks a lot more yellow as well for some reason, and the overall cooking and prepping process took way more than 30 min. but that’s just your many years of practice and talent against my zero of both, haha! I’m a big fan of yours already even though I only started reading you 2 weeks ago since I got out of rehab and trying to start a life from scratch. Cooking really helps me concentrate and keep things together, especially in the evenings when I’m tempted to go places so I really thank you for what you’re doing.
Paula Montenegro
What a gorgeous dish, so flavorful! It’s like a sophisticated version of arroz con pollo. I’m definitely making it this week. Thanks for sharing.
Jo
Paella looks absolutely delicious! I can imagine the wonderful flavors in it. It looks perfect and I love how simple and perfect this chicken and shrimp paelle looks.
UMA
I like to make restaurant-style food at home. This looks easy and the procedure is neat. Definitely passing this recipe to my friend who loves paella.
Marisa F. Stewart
This is just the type of recipe I love to prepare on the weekends. A little exotic but not so much so that the ingredients are difficult to find. I have saffron in my spice cabinet waiting for me. I also like the use of orzo instead of rice. This recipe is perfect for the week between Christmas and New Years.
Veronika
This is a perfect comforting meal to enjoy these cold nights! Thanks for all the tips and tricks to make the process easier. I will definitely make it soon!)
Danielle
Now this is the paella to make over the holidays! Delicious combination of shrimp and chicken must make it an unforgettable experience! Can’t wait to recreate this recipe at home.
Kelly Anthony
If paella is on the menu in a restaurant I always order it. I can’t wait to make this quick and easy at-home version.
Leslie
Love this Restaurant style recipe here! It’s pure heaven! Great flavors and easy to make. It’s perfect!
Amy H
Wow! This looks so good! And the recipe looks pretty straightforward to follow.
Fatima Torres
Paella has always been on my go-to dishes! I love this combination. Worth giving it a try sometime.
Rika Livingston
I love Paella and seafood! This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try the recipe.
Star Traci
Wow! My family might start thinking I am a real cook with this dish, It looks amazing,
Victoria
OMG this looks amazing. Chicken and shrimp are freezer staples of mine, so I bet I could pull this off this week lol.
Lynndee
We always enjoy a good paella, but it’s been a while since I prepared one here at home. I will have to make one again and I’m going to follow your recipe this time.
Rena
This looks amazing! I didn’t know what orzo was either so thanks for the explanation. I would definitely add some sausage just because I love the taste of Chicken/shrimp/sausage.
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!
Beth
This looks like a real treat! I love easy recipes that also seem quite fancy! I made a few dishes with orzo and we really liked it.
Heather
I don’t eat meat anymore, but I would eat this with just the shrimp and I bet it would be yummy!
Pam
this sounds so good. I love a good paella but I have never tried one with orzo.
Tasheena
This recipe would be perfect to add to our weekly meal plan. This looks like a recipe that my family would love.
Terri Steffes
This is the type of dish my husband loves to make. He has really expanded his food base and we are really eating quite well!
Amber Myers
I think my family would enjoy this. They are all about shrimp. This would be a tasty dinner idea.
Jeanette
My stomach is growling just seeing these pictures. I am looking for a great dinner recipe that is unusual. I think this fits the bill.
Melissa Chapman
That recipe looks so good and I am not the chef that you are so I would have to work on this to make it just right. I love seafood so this is a great way to enjoy it.
Karen
This recipe blows the doors off our normal dinner routine! My husband will love this, and will be surprised when I make this.
candy
My husband likes both chicken and shrimp so I am pretty sure he would enjoy this dish. Will have to give it a try and see.
Glenda Cates
My husband and my mother in law would enjoy having this for Dinner. I can’t wait to make this for them as a treat for all the da for my son and I.
Sarah Bailey
Anything with shrimp in always has me wanting to try it! I love the idea of using chicken as well. I totally need to try this for myself.
Alli Smith
I’ve never made Paella before so this will be fun! I’m glad you included the video so I could watch it being made before trying it myself. Looks so delicious!
robin rue
That sounds like a wonderful meal. I think I will make this for my husband and myself for an at home date night.
Anne
This recipe looks awesome! So much flavor in so little time! I can’t wait to try this one.
Holly
Oh, this looks super yummy. I will definitely have to try this. I love trying new recipes!!
Crystal Mendez
I always wondered what orzo was. I ate it anyway because it’s good! This recipe looks delicious!
Rachel
I have never made any type of orzo. I think it makes dishes look so fancy.
Flossie McCowald
I will have to share this recipe with my husband! He loves making paella but I don’t do shrimp, so he and the girls will love having this some night when I’m out of town!
Cassie
This looks so beautiful, I’ve never had paella before! I also appreciate that you noted that substitutions are okay. This is great especially for someone like me with food allergies.
Wendy
I love paella! and yours look so gorgeously delicious! I’d try that.
Jessica Hughes
I love a good paella and the more seafood the better. The spice combination in this recipe sounds magnificent and the orzo is a great touch.
Ria Parikh
Great dish and pictures subsequently!
Stephanie
This looks delicious! I love orzo but only have a few recipes with it and always looking to expand.
GiGi Eats
Oh wow this sounds amazing! I want to try and make it with cauliflower rice!
Patricia Chamberlain
What a great looking dish! I love orzo! I will save this for later.
Kate Loves Travel
This sounds like a great dish – I absolutely love paella… I could so eat this right now!
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
I love this combination of ingredients in this dish. I am sure the flavor of this dish is amazing.
Chef Dennis Littley
Thank you Dawn!
Abbe@This is How I Cook
What a great quick paella. Love the orzo touch!
Chef Dennis Littley
Thank you Abbe!
minnie@thelady8home
It’s like cooking a pulao, with a different set of spices…..and equally gorgeous. This looks terrific Chef! Bookmarked.
Chef Dennis Littley
Glad you like it Minnie! I’ve never tried Pulao, I’ll have to look for it.