Description
A quick family meal featuring crispy salmon and creamy lemon orzo, perfect for any night.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound salmon fillets (skin-on, about 3 pieces)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 cup baby spinach or arugula
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon skin-side down and cook 3–4 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and releases from the pan. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more, then transfer to a plate.
- Lower heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until savory perfume fills the pan. Add the orzo and toast it briefly for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water, then add lemon zest and juice. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Cover and simmer for 8–9 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the orzo is almost tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If the pan looks dry, add a splash more water.
- Stir in the Parmesan and cream (or Greek yogurt) and the spinach until the sauce is creamy and the greens wilt. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Nestle the salmon back into the skillet, skin-side up now, spooning a little lemon-orzo sauce over the fillets. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes until salmon reaches your preferred doneness.
- Finish with a scattering of fresh parsley or dill and an extra squeeze of lemon. Serve straight from the skillet.
Notes
For a lighter version, swap cream for Greek yogurt. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: salmon, one skillet, lemon orzo, family meal, quick dinner