Succulent Pan Seared Scallops with Orzo Piccata is an easy weeknight dinner that’s fancy enough for weekend company!
If you’re a parent, you know that sometimes your menu is planned around your children’s likes and dislikes. Well, Tom is my third child.
If you’re a regular follower of the blog, you know my husband Tom is a picky eater. Has been for most of his life, and I’ve resigned myself to the fact that after almost 28 years of marriage, he always will be.
So even though our son Sean no longer lives at home, and our son Casey is away at college, I still find myself planning meals around what Mr. Picky likes.
For the record, he would eat these Pan Seared Scallops with Orzo Piccata for dinner almost every night of the week! It’s perfect served with a side salad (which of course, Mr. Picky won’t eat, but I will) and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
This is one of those dinners I totally enjoy too, so it’s a win-win! AND it’s one of the easiest dinners ever to prepare. Not a fan of scallops? No worries. Sub them with some shrimp. Just as delicious! I’m pretty sure Tom could even manage getting this one to the table on his own if he tried. (And that’s a BIG if.)
You’ll sear your scallops first which takes less than 5 minutes. Then whip up the orzo that’s finished off with some fresh squeezed lemon juice and zest, and a generous portion of capers, Tom’s favorite. From start to finish you’re looking at just about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights, but fancy enough for weekend company!
Hope y’all enjoy this one as much as Tom does!
Looking for some other easy weeknight dinners? Try my Jambalaya, my Beef and Quinoa Enchilada Skillet and my Easy Sesame Chicken. All Tom-approved!
- 1 1/4 lb. (about 16) sea scallops
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1/4 cup capers
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish, if desired
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Scallops: Blot scallops with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick frying pan over high heat. Carefully add scallops when oil is hot, making sure scallops are not touching each other. Sear scallops for 1 1/2-2 minutes on each side. Do not move or flip until bottom is golden brown. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
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In a large Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring often. Add garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute. Add orzo and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted, stirring until well combined.
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Add wine and bring to a boil. Cook until almost all wine is evaporated, about 2 minutes.
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Add 2 1/2 cups stock, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is tender and broth is mostly absorbed, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest and capers. Divide orzo among 4 dishes and top with about 4 scallops per plate. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
Hahaha – that’s too funny Mary Ann (third child)! Good thing he likes this one (why not, right??)…otherwise I think I’d have to come over and eat his share, lol ;) Pinned! Happy (almost) Friday! XOXO
Anything piccata is Tom’s favorite Dawn! I’ve learned over many years what dishes are his fave and I try to sneak a few different things in on the menu when I can!
I sympathize with your third child problem :) I’m thankful that my husband will eat just about anything and a whole bunch of things that would never pass my lips as well!
Love this dish (and he would, too :)
This is such an easy dish Jennifer! We enjoy it with scallops, shrimp or chicken. I’m working on him!
Mr. Picky sure has good taste, though! I think I could eat this every night of the week, too! We were both feeling the orzo this week! ;)
Yes! Great minds Annie!
I also have a Mr. Picky at home. It’s always great to find something everybody likes. I love scallops but I never made them with orzo, what a great idea Mary Ann,
You’ll love this dish Gerlinde! So easy and so flavorful! Happy weekend!
OK, I don’t love scallops (because of a particularly scarring incident in which my parents told me they were marshmallows when I was little) but I would love this with shrimp subbed in! In fact, I’m now craving lemon and capers. Have a great weekend!
That’s hilarious Kelsie! Sub in the shrimp and you’ll love it! I often do and it’s just as delicious!
That’s so funny Mary Ann. My husband is also a picky eater. We actually eat separate meals most of the time! I cook for me and he cooks for himself! This recipe is a meal I would prepare for myself, and enjoy every bite. And I’d even load it up with both scallops and shrimp!! Happy Thursday!
Oh no Leanne! I have to say though, Tom eats sushi and runny eggs…two things I will never try!
Super simple and packed with flavor? That’s my kinda dinner. I love scallops and don’t make them often enough. I’m lucky that the hubs will eat just about anything I put on the table!
You’re lucky Karen! I can tell when Tom is not keen on something different…he just keeps chewing, and it takes him really long to swallow it! It’s hilarious!
I love that this is so easy yet elegant enough for a dinner party. Win-win!
It really is Chris! Perfect for those busy weeknights or special enough for company!
OMGeeee lol, then Rob is my first child! Mr. Picky – I completely get it, Mary Ann! Now, I adore Orzo with just about anything… may I say how stunning you’ve captured the light on those seared scallops? xo
Lol Traci! My son Casey is exactly like Tom too! Ugh! I love orzo too and this happens to be one of my favorites! Thanks so much! Coming from you that means so much! XO
I am absolutely making this over the weekend!
Woohoo! Enjoy it Jennifer!
Mr. Picky, haha! You are a good woman for dealing with that. I have a hard enough time with my two picky kids!! Thank goodness he likes these scallops – they look amazing. Seared scallops are a fave of mine. Yum!
I’ve been working on him to try new things for years Katherine! My son Casey is just like him!
Like your husband I could also eat this every night, this is my type of dish, it looks and sounds amazing, so perfect with the seared scallops and the touch of capers
Thanks so much Albert! The capers are my husband’s favorite! Happy weekend!
I would eat this every night of the week!
You and Tom!! (I would too though!)
This sounds so delicious! Substituting shrimp would be awesome too! Thanks for the quick and easy recipe!
You’re welcome Karly! Hope you give it a try!
Oh, I am absolutely a part of the picky-eater husbands club! Sadly, I haven’t gotten mine to eat scallops yet, but we did win on a cod piccata recently so maybe I’ll try this recipe for myself and toddlers and then he’ll just get cod again. Everyone wins!
Yay! Hope you enjoy it Aimee!
DING DING DING, we have a seafood winner, folks! My darling hubba sir Mix a hubbers doesn’t care for fish but he likes scallops! I think I have leftover orzo pasta in my pantry so this recipe would be the BEST way to use it up! I can finally make seafood in my house, YAY!!!!
Woohoo! Hope you both enjoy this one Christina! You’ll love how easy it is!
For a picky eater, I had to laugh that Tom likes capers. That is not your run of the mill ingredient . I’ve never cooked orzo like this before, Mary Ann – usually I treat it like pasta. Can’t wait to try this new method – almost like risotto – it looks delicious. Hope you’re having a good weekend.
I know right?! I tell him olives are so similar, but he won’t even touch one! I’m working on him though! I hope you try this dish Geraldine! It’s so incredibly easy and I know you’ll just love it.
Scallops have never looked better, what a perfect dinner idea!
Thanks Laura!
I don’t see very many recipes from you but those I do are just fantastic like this one. Thanks!
Hope you give this one a try Sue!
I think there’s no changing Mr. Picky! He’s just lucky he has you to make him fabulous meals! The sear on these scallops is perfect! This is a meal I think my whole family would love!
I bet they would Kathy!
What an awesome looking recipe! Scallops are one of my favorites too! It’s great, you know the recipe is a winner when you gain the approval of a picky eater!
Absolutely Matt!
Keith and I would both eat this combo every night! Simple and perfect.
I hope you try it Marissa!
I made this last night and it’s a keeper! I didn’t change a thing about it. I just happened to have everything on hand. Very delicious, perfect for a simple meal or for guests. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so excited you enjoyed it Jaxx! So easy, right?! And yes, I love this one for an easy weeknight dinner or for guests! Thanks so much for dropping by to leave a comment!
I made this last night and it was delicious! Five stars :)
So glad you enjoyed it Sue!! Thanks so much for stopping to leave a comment!
This looks so good Mare:)
I have made this so many times this summer Boo! It’s always a hit with guests! And so easy, which I love!
Really good.inovation on “picata” and adaptation of risotto technique to orzo. The only thing I would change is to add chicken stock in stages until right doneness and liquid are reached. I had too much liquid and needed to spoon some off.
Glad you foiund what works for you Doug. I always like to hear how people enjoy the dishes I share and the changes they try, additions or substitutions they make. This is one of my favorite easy dishes to make for guests. It’s always a hit! Thanks so much for following along here at the BHK!
Hi. Is there anyway I can make this ahead of time and reheat it? Thank you in advance.
Hi Rose. We’ve enjoyed leftovers of this dish and I’ve just added a bit more broth because the orzo will tend to thicken up when it stands.
I came across this recipe searching for an easy way to serve scallops. We loved the orzo. Served on a bed of arugula dressed with a spritz of lemon juice & a splash of olive oil. Delicious,
So happy you gave the recipe a try Carolyn! This is a favorite with our family and friends, especially during the summer!
WOW what a great recipe! Easy and very tasty! Definitely a keeper!
Oh it’s one of my favorites Linda!! So happy you gave the recipe a try! Thanks so much for following. Have a great weekend!
Very yummy! My Mr picky loved it, and requested I make it again. I changed it some, instead of all onions I used a combo of celery green peppers and mushrooms and onions. And less capers,Picky doesn’t care for salty Thanks!
Glad you both enjoyed it Linda!
Don’t even THINK about adding the 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth. Mine was more like a soup. Half that would be plenty.
No one has ever commented that Diane. I’ve always used the 2 1/2 cups. Perhaps your burner was not on a high enough simmer. I mention in the recipe to simmer until the pasta is tender and almost all the broth is absorbed. Hope you give it another try because this recipe has always been a hit with friends and family and followers here at the BHK.