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One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe

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4 from 6 reviews

This One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo is a flavorful and simple dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender salmon fillets are seared to perfection and served atop creamy lemon-infused orzo pasta sautéed with garlic, onion, spinach, and Parmesan cheese—all cooked in a single pan for easy cleanup.

Ingredients

Salmon

  • 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

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
  • Juice from ½ lemon
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

To Serve

  • Freshly ground black pepper (for serving)
  • Chili flakes (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepping: Grate the Parmesan cheese, finely chop the 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.
  2. Searing: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add the salmon fillets and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sautéing: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in dried thyme along with the remaining salt and pepper. Add the dry orzo and toast it for about 1 minute while stirring to coat the pasta in the flavors.
  4. Cooking the Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is nearly al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes.
  5. Simmering with Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the skillet and stir well. Continue to simmer until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. If the orzo looks too dry, add a little more broth as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if necessary.
  6. Finishing: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the orzo. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes until the salmon is heated through and flavors meld.
  7. Serving: Serve each portion topped with freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a little heat. Enjoy your delicious one skillet lemon orzo with salmon!

Notes

  • Patting salmon dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear and crust.
  • Use low sodium chicken broth to better control the salt level in the dish.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth and omit the salmon or replace with a plant-based protein.
  • Orzo cooks quickly so keep an eye on the liquid to avoid overcooking and clumping.
  • Adding lemon juice at the end brightens up the whole dish, balancing the richness of salmon and Parmesan.
  • This dish can be doubled for more servings but use a larger skillet to accommodate all ingredients evenly.

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