Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Mixed Grill

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (117)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(117)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 1 hr 0 min
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 1 hr 50 min

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Ingredients

For marinade:

5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 5 lemons
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons smoked salt, or kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

For grill:

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 ears corn, husked and cut into thirds
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped clean
1 red bell pepper, halved and cored
1 yellow bell pepper, halved and cored
1 orange bell pepper, halved and cored
Saffron Orzo, recipe follows

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.

In a large bowl, combine half the marinade with the chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and shrimp. Toss to combine. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour. If marinating for longer than 1 hour, make sure to refrigerate.

Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the corn with reserved unused marinade and wrap in foil. Toss the mushrooms with 1/4 cup of the reserved unused marinade. Grill the chicken breasts and thighs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 7 minutes a side. Grill the corn inside the foil, for about 5 minutes a side. Grill the peppers for about 5 minutes a side. Grill the shrimp and the mushrooms, about 2 minutes a side. Brush the grilled peppers with the last of the reserved unused marinade. Slice the peppers and mushrooms before serving, if desired.

Arrange grilled meats and vegetables over the saffron orzo on a large platter and serve immediately.

Saffron Orzo:

4 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 pound dried orzo
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the stock to a simmer. Add the saffron, stir, and allow the saffron to bloom, about 5 minutes. Return the heat to medium and the stock to a boil, then add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain orzo and transfer to a large bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss to combine.

Yield: 6 servings

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo
Hallie Augusta, GA 09-03-2009
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Best Marnade
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is now my go to when I want to grill chicken. I love it and it's super easy.
recipe Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo
Kevin Jupiter, FL 07-28-2009
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Great Marinade
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We love grilled veggies, so this one was sure to be a hit. I add vidalia onions, zest the lemons to add extra flavor,... substitute basil for the parsley, and portabella mushrooms for the cremini. The flavor is terrific and blends very well between the grilled items and the orzo. If you don't like Saffron, the orzo does fine without it. Read more
recipe Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo
chantel East Lansing, MI 07-05-2009
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Fantastic
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this one Sunday, we used bone-in chicken with the skin on which I don't think made a difference. The marinade was... AMAZING, the corn was probably the biggest hit-can't wait to make it again!! Read more
recipe Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo
Catherine Moline, IL 06-22-2009
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Favorite Recipe!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this over and over again. I don't use the saffron. (We didn't care for the flavor.) I will attest that the stock... cooks out in the orzo so I'm going to use an extra cup and see if that helps next time. It's a very refreshing dish and pretty easy to cook up! Prep takes the longest, but it is extremely worth it! Read more
recipe Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo
Mary Yukon, OK 06-20-2009
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fabulous grilled dish
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have never liked orzo but when I had this dish that my step-daughter made I ate at least 2 helpings as did my husband who... is a meat and potato man. Thanks! I may have to get a garic press!Read more
recipe Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo
J Vernon, CT 04-19-2009
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OMG
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made the orzo and had the wine suggestion. I didnt dare try the fruit (too many negative reviews). This entire meal was... fantastic. Everyone loved it. This will be a regular in our summer bbq routine!!Read more