Quick & Flavorful One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe
One skillet salmon tantalizes dinner lovers seeking a harmonious blend of simplicity and sophistication.
Mediterranean-inspired cooking demands minimal equipment and maximum flavor potential.
Professional chefs understand the magic of crafting humble ingredients into remarkable meals.
Bold seafood selections elevate weeknight dining from mundane to magnificent.
Delicate fish paired with bright, zesty grains creates a symphony of textures and tastes.
Home cooks appreciate streamlined recipes that minimize cleanup while maximizing culinary satisfaction.
You’ll want to master this elegant yet approachable technique for delivering restaurant-quality cuisine directly from your kitchen.
Why One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Is a Simple Favorite
Ingredients for One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo
Protein:Seasonings and Aromatics:Dairy and Finishing Ingredients:How to Make This One-Pan Salmon and Orzo Dish
Step 1: Prepare Ingredients
Step 2: Sear Salmon
Heat olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove salmon and set aside.
Step 3: Saute Aromatics
Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and onion to skillet. Cook for 2 minutes until soft and fragrant. Sprinkle thyme and remaining seasonings.
Step 4: Cook Orzo
Add orzo and toast for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is almost tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
Step 5: Finish Orzo
Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Add lemon juice and Parmesan. Stir until creamy. Adjust liquid and seasoning as needed.
Step 6: Reunite Salmon
Return salmon to skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reheat. Garnish with black pepper and chili flakes before serving.
Helpful Tips for Tender Salmon and Flavorful Pasta
Best Way to Store and Reheat This One Skillet Meal
What Goes Well with Salmon and Lemon Orzo
Flavor Variations for This One-Pan Dinner
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One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Mediterranean-inspired one skillet salmon with lemon orzo combines elegant simplicity and robust flavors. Delicate salmon nestles perfectly atop creamy orzo, creating a quick weeknight dinner that brings Mediterranean coastal charm directly to your plate.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 4 salmon fillets
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon (3 grams) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 gram) dried thyme
Cooking Base and Vegetables:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (200 grams) dry orzo pasta
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
- 5 ounces (142 grams) baby spinach
Finishing Ingredients:
- Juice from ½ lemon
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan
- Freshly ground black pepper, for serving
- Chili flakes, for serving
Instructions
- Thoroughly prepare ingredients by grating Parmesan, finely chopping onion, and mincing garlic. Dry salmon fillets with paper towel and season generously with garlic powder, sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Warm olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon fillets for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer salmon to a separate plate.
- Lower skillet temperature to medium. Sauté garlic and onion until softened and aromatic, approximately 2 minutes. Incorporate thyme and remaining seasonings.
- Add orzo to the skillet and toast briefly, then pour in chicken broth. Bring liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to allow gentle simmering. Cook uncovered, stirring periodically, until orzo reaches near al dente texture and liquid reduces significantly.
- Fold in fresh spinach and cook until completely wilted. Drizzle lemon juice and sprinkle Parmesan, stirring to create a creamy consistency. Adjust liquid volume if needed and taste for seasoning.
- Carefully return salmon to skillet, allowing it to warm through for 2-3 minutes. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and a sprinkle of chili flakes for added complexity.
Notes
- Perfectly sear salmon by patting it dry and using high heat to create a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Toast orzo briefly before adding liquid to enhance its nutty taste and prevent a mushy texture.
- Use fresh spinach for added nutrition and vibrant color, wilting it quickly to maintain its bright green appearance.
- Create a creamy sauce by stirring in Parmesan cheese, which adds richness and helps bind the dish together.
- Customize heat levels with black pepper and optional chili flakes for a personalized spice experience.
- One-skillet method reduces cleanup and allows flavors to meld together beautifully during the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
David Bennett
Founder & Head Recipe Developer
Expertise
Culinary Nutrition, Recipe Development, Nutritional Counseling, Food Science
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)
David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind.
With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily.
At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.