Description

This One-Skillet Salmon with Orzo recipe offers a delicious, easy-to-make meal featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets nestled on a bed of creamy, lemon-infused orzo pasta. Cooked entirely in one non-stick skillet, this dish combines bright flavors from fresh lemon, aromatic shallots, and Italian seasoning, enriched with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, making it a wholesome and satisfying dinner option.

Ingredients

Salmon

2 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Lemon pepper seasoning, to taste (such as Dash, no salt)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Orzo and Sauce

1 small shallot, diced (about 2 tablespoons)
½ cup orzo pasta
1 cup chicken broth, plus more if needed
Juice of ½ lemon
Zest of ½ lemon
4 lemon slices (for garnish)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Season the Salmon: Lightly season both sides of the 2 salmon fillets with lemon pepper seasoning and kosher salt to enhance the flavor.
Sear the Salmon: Heat a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the fillets and cook the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes until salmon is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork. Transfer salmon to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Sauté the Shallots: Add the remaining ½ tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet and sauté the diced shallots for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Toast the Orzo: Stir the orzo into the skillet with the shallots and toast it for about 1 minute to enhance its nutty flavor.
Simmer the Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add the Italian seasoning and a pinch of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover with the fitted lid, and cook for 8-9 minutes or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. If the liquid reduces too quickly before the orzo is cooked, add a splash of additional chicken broth.
Finish the Orzo: Once cooked, stir in grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley to create a creamy texture and fresh flavor.
Combine and Serve: Nestle the salmon fillets back into the skillet on the bed of orzo. Garnish the dish with lemon slices and serve immediately to enjoy the full flavor and warmth of the meal.

Notes

For a vegetable boost, add mushrooms or zucchini along with the shallots during sautéing.
Fresh baby spinach can be stirred in at the very end of cooking for added greens.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutritional information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American