Description
Savory one skillet salmon with lemon orzo delivers Mediterranean comfort straight from Greek kitchens. Mediterranean herbs and zesty citrus create perfect harmony while simplifying weeknight dinner preparations for home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 cup (200 grams) dry orzo pasta
- 3 cups (720 ml/24 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) olive oil
- 1 tsp (5 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 oz (142 grams) baby spinach
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp (5 grams) salt, divided
- 1 tsp (2 grams) black pepper, divided
- 1 tsp (2 grams) sweet paprika
- 1 tsp (3 grams) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (1 gram) dried thyme
- Juice from ½ lemon
- Freshly ground black pepper, for serving
- Chili flakes, for serving
Instructions
- Ingredient Preparation: Pat salmon fillets dry and generously season with garlic powder, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper. Grate Parmesan, finely chop onion, and mince garlic for seamless integration.
- Salmon Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Create a golden-brown crust by searing salmon fillets for 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a holding plate temporarily.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce skillet temperature to medium. Sauté garlic and onion until translucent and fragrant, incorporating thyme and remaining seasonings to build depth of flavor.
- Orzo Cooking: Toast orzo in the skillet, then introduce chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat for a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until orzo reaches a near-perfect al dente texture and liquid considerably reduces.
- Final Assembly: Incorporate fresh spinach until completely wilted, then drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle Parmesan. Stir to create a luxurious, creamy consistency. Adjust liquid and seasonings to taste.
- Serving Preparation: Gently return salmon to the skillet, allowing it to warm through for 2-3 minutes. Elevate the dish with freshly cracked black pepper and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a subtle kick of complexity.
Notes
- Salmon Drying Technique: Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Seasoning Strategy: Generously coat salmon with dry spices before cooking to build deep, layered flavor profiles throughout the dish.
- Orzo Cooking Precision: Watch liquid absorption carefully, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and achieve ideal al dente texture without becoming mushy.
- Temperature Control: Adjust skillet heat between medium-high and medium to develop rich caramelization without burning ingredients, especially when searing salmon and toasting orzo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg