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One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe

One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 8 reviews

This One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo is a quick, flavorful, and nutritious meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender salmon fillets are seared to perfection and combined with creamy lemon-infused orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese—all cooked in a single pan to minimize cleanup without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 skinless salmon fillets
  • 1/2 tsp salt (for salmon)
  • 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper (for salmon)
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp unsalted butter

Orzo and Vegetables

  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 5 ounces baby spinach

Finishing Touches

  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper, for serving
  • Chili flakes, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Grate the Parmesan cheese, finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the salmon with garlic powder, sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Sear Salmon: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add the salmon fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and just cooked through. Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in dried thyme along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper.
  4. Toast Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast it for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to coat with the oil and aromatics.
  5. Cook Orzo: Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is almost al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 8 minutes.
  6. Add Spinach and Cheese: Stir in the baby spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes until wilted. Then, add the lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. If the mixture seems dry, add a bit more broth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
  7. Finish with Salmon: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the orzo mixture. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the salmon is warmed through.
  8. Serve: Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and chili flakes over the top before serving. Enjoy your delicious one skillet salmon with lemon orzo!

Notes

  • Use low sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the dish.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth to make this recipe pescatarian or vegetarian-friendly (without salmon).
  • For a dairy-free option, omit Parmesan and butter or substitute with a vegan cheese and plant-based butter.
  • Be careful not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender.
  • Fresh herbs such as parsley or dill make a great garnish if desired.
  • If you prefer, whole wheat orzo can be used for added fiber.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon recipe, one skillet meal, lemon orzo, easy dinner, healthy salmon, quick dinner

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/one-skillet-salmon-with-lemon-orzo-recipe/