Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring flaky salmon and tender lemon orzo, all cooked in a single skillet for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound salmon fillets, skin on or off, cut into 4 portions
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon (more to taste, if desired)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- Optional: A pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat
- Optional: 2 cups baby spinach or other quick-wilting greens
Instructions
- 1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove salmon and set aside.
- 2. Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3. Add orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 4. Pour in broth, scrape up browned bits. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until orzo is al dente and most liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally.
- 5. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. If using spinach, stir it in now until wilted. Season to taste.
- 6. Nestle salmon fillets back into the skillet on top of the orzo. Cover and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.
- 7. Garnish with extra parsley and serve directly from the skillet.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven to maintain salmon’s texture. Avoid overcooking during reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g