One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Recipe
A delicious and easy one skillet salmon recipe featuring tender salmon fillets cooked with lemony orzo pasta and baby spinach, finished with Parmesan cheese and a touch of heat from chili flakes. A perfect weeknight meal that combines wholesome ingredients in minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
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 Pasta 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
For Serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chili flakes
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Grate the Parmesan cheese, finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic cloves. Pat dry the salmon fillets with a paper towel, then season both sides with garlic powder, sweet paprika, and half of the salt and pepper.
- Sear Salmon: Heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add the salmon fillets and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in dried thyme and the remaining salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Toast Orzo: Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet and toast it for 1 minute, stirring continuously to prevent burning and to bring out a nutty flavor.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is almost al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, approximately 8 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Finish Orzo: Stir in baby spinach and simmer until wilted, about 2 minutes. Then stir in lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. Add extra broth if the orzo is too thick. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Reheat Salmon: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet on top of the orzo. Let them simmer together for 2-3 minutes to heat through and allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and chili flakes over the dish according to your preference. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful one skillet salmon with lemon orzo.
Notes
- Patting the salmon dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear.
- Keep stirring the orzo occasionally to prevent sticking to the skillet.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust chili flakes to your desired spice level or omit for less heat.
- Adding extra broth near the end helps maintain a creamy texture if the orzo absorbs too much liquid.
- Skinned salmon fillets work best for even cooking in one skillet.
