One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe
This One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo is a quick and flavorful dish that combines perfectly seared salmon fillets with a creamy, lemon-infused orzo pasta, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy-to-make, nutritious meal cooked entirely in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 skinless salmon fillets
- 1 tsp salt – divided
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper – divided
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp unsalted butter
- 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
- juice from ½ lemon
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
For Serving
- freshly ground black pepper
- chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Grate the Parmesan cheese, finely chop the yellow onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the salmon with garlic powder, sweet paprika, and half of the salt and pepper (½ tsp each).
- Sear the Salmon: Heat the olive oil and unsalted butter in a large nonstick pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned salmon fillets and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the dried thyme along with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Toast Orzo: Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet and toast it for 1 minute while stirring to coat it with the aromatics and oil.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce 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.
- Incorporate Spinach and Finish Orzo: Add the baby spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. If needed, add more broth to adjust the consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary.
- Reheat Salmon: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet on top of the orzo. Simmer everything together for 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is fully heated through.
- Serve: Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and chili flakes over the dish to taste before serving. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can use vegetable broth as a substitute for chicken broth for a vegetarian option, but omit the salmon to keep it vegetarian.
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon during searing as it will finish cooking in the skillet with the orzo.
- If you prefer a creamier orzo, you can add a splash of heavy cream or extra Parmesan at the end.
- Adjust the lemon juice to your taste for more or less tanginess.
- For a spicier kick, increase the chili flakes.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: salmon, lemon orzo, one skillet meal, easy dinner, skillet salmon, orzo pasta, quick seafood recipe, healthy seafood, Mediterranean dish
