Description

A quick and delicious dinner featuring crispy seared salmon paired with creamy, zesty lemon orzo. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for weeknights and uses simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale

4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170g each), skin on
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup orzo pasta (about 170g)
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (480ml)
½ cup heavy cream (120ml)
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Bring chicken or vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add orzo and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until just tender. Drain excess broth if needed.
Return drained orzo to saucepan over low heat. Stir in heavy cream, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring frequently, until creamy and heated through (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Adjust salt or lemon to taste.
Heat olive oil in a 10-12 inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down. Press gently with spatula for 10 seconds to prevent curling. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden and crisp.
Flip salmon carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily. For thick fillets, lower heat and cover pan for last minute to cook through without drying.
Plate lemon orzo and top with crispy salmon fillet. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon wedge if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dry the salmon skin thoroughly before cooking for best crispiness. Use medium-high heat to get a golden crust without burning. Let salmon rest a minute after cooking to redistribute juices. Fresh lemon zest and juice are key for bright flavor. Frozen salmon can be used if fully thawed and dried well.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with
Calories: 450
Sodium: 600
Fat: 18
Carbohydrates: 30
Fiber: 2
Protein: 35

Keywords: seared salmon, lemon orzo, quick dinner, easy salmon recipe, creamy orzo, crispy salmon skin