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Mediterranean Salmon and Orzo Skillet


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  • Author: betty-m
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Diet: Pescatarian

Description

A vibrant and nutritious Mediterranean dish featuring salmon, orzo, and Swiss chard, ready in under 30 minutes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup dry orzo pasta
  • ½ oz pine nuts
  • 1 bunch Swiss chard
  • ½ cup roasted red bell peppers, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup jarred artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medjool date, chopped
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 6 oz salmon fillets
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon pepper, divided
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ lemon, sliced for serving
  • Feta, for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add orzo, and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, return to pot, and drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil.
  3. In a medium dry oven-safe skillet, toast pine nuts over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, then transfer to a cutting board to cool and chop.
  4. Remove thick stems from Swiss chard and chop leaves into bite-size pieces.
  5. Pat salmon fillets dry, season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 ½ Tablespoons oil in the skillet over medium-high heat and sear salmon skin-side up for 3 minutes. Flip and roast in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
  6. In another sauté pan, heat 1 Tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add chard, roasted peppers, artichokes, and garlic. Season and cook for 2-3 minutes until chard has wilted.
  7. Add cooked orzo to the pan with vegetables, then stir in dates, chopped basil, and lemon zest. Season to taste.
  8. Serve the orzo with the salmon on top, squeezing fresh lemon juice over each plate and garnish with toasted pine nuts and feta if desired.
  9. To store leftovers, place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

For a crisper salmon skin, dry the fillets thoroughly before seasoning. Swap out Swiss chard for kale or spinach if preferred. Don’t forget to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg