This One Skillet Mahi Mahi and Tomato Basil Orzo is a delicious one-pan wonder that is bursting with bright flavor. Made with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and white wine, it's the perfect light summer meal!

Mahi Mahi is one of my favorite kinds of fish. I'm a big fan of meaty, thick filets, and a mahi mahi filet is just that!

Although mahi mahi is a thick filet, it is perfectly light and flaky in texture when cooked just right.

This recipe pairs my fave mahi with a simple tomato basil orzo. The orzo simmers with the tomatoes in chicken broth so the orzo absorbs all of that gorgeous tomato flavor. It pairs perfectly with the seasoned and seared mahi mahi!

I hope you love this easy, no fuss, one-skillet meal as much as we did!

HOW TO MAKE ONE SKILLET MAHI MAHI AND ORZO

Mahi mahi and orzo are super easy to make in just one skillet. First, mahi mahi is seasoned and seared in oil in a large cast iron skillet. The mahi mahi is removed from the skillet as set aside. Next, the orzo and garlic are toasted in butter in the same skillet. The wine is added next, followed by the chicken broth, tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The orzo is covered and simmered for 15 minutes, then uncovered and simmered for another 5-10 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. The basil is stirred into the orzo and the mahi mahi is returned to the skillet. The skillet is then transferred to the oven for 5 minutes. See below for detailed recipe ingredients and instructions.

WHAT IS ORZO?

Orzo is a small, versatile, rice-shaped pasta. You can use orzo as a side dish, in soups, in salads, or in skillet meals like this one!

WHAT KIND OF FISH IS MAHI MAHI?

Mahi mahi is a saltwater fish found in tropical and subtropical oceans. It grows to be, on average, 3 feet in length and has a blue-green color. Mahi mahi is also known as Dolphin Fish, not to be confused with the air-breathing mammal! It is firm and flaky in texture.

DO I HAVE TO USE A CAST IRON SKILLET?

A cast iron skillet is best for this recipe, but if you do not have one a large, heavy-bottomed skillet would also work.

MORE FISH RECIPES

Looking for more yummy fish recipes to add to your meal rotation? Here are a few popular fish recipes from the archives:

• Air Fryer Salmon
• Homemade Crunchy Baked Fish Sticks
• Crispy Skin Salmon Piccata
• Tuna Tostadas with Chipotle Crema

If you try this recipe, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!

4 servings

One Skillet Mahi Mahi and Tomato Basil Orzo

This One Skillet Mahi Mahi and Tomato Basil Orzo is a delicious one pan wonder that is bursting with bright flavor. Made with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and white wine, it's the perfect light summer meal!

  prep time: 10 MINcook time: 30 MINtotal time: 40 MIN 

INGREDIENTS

4 mahi mahi filets
1 tablespoon Cajun blackened seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup orzo
1/2 cup white wine
2 1/4 cups chicken broth
6 Campari tomatoes, chopped (roughly 2 cups)
1 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Season the mahi mahi on both sides with the blackened seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke. Sear the mahi for 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.

2. Add the butter to the skillet. When melted, add the garlic and orzo to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes until the orzo is golden brown.

3. Add the white wine to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.

4. Stir the chicken broth and tomatoes into the skillet.

5. Cut the lemon in half and add squeeze the juice from half of the lemon into the orzo. Set aside the other half lemon.

6. Bring the orzo to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the lid, raise the heat to medium-high, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the tomatoes have completely broken down and a good portion of the liquid has been cooked off.

6. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

7. Remove the lid and stir the basil into the orzo. Return the mahi mahi to the skillet and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Top with additional chopped fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, if desired. Squeeze the remaining half lemon over the skillet just before serving.

NOTES

If you don't have a lid that fits your skillet, you can use a piece of foil to cover the skillet.

If you can't find Campari tomatoes, you can use another type of small tomatoes such as plum tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes.

Author: Becky

Nutrition data should not be considered a guarantee. Please see our full Nutrition Data Disclosure. This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full Disclosure and Privacy Policy.