One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo
A quick and delicious one-pan meal featuring seared salmon and lemon-infused orzo with spinach, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 4 pieces 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
For the Orzo
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Juice from ½ pieces lemon
- 1 each yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For Serving
- Freshly ground black pepper for serving
- Chili flakes for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients and prepare them.
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic, and grate the Parmesan cheese.
- Pat dry the salmon fillets with a paper towel.
Cooking
- Season both sides of the salmon fillets with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, and sweet paprika.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil and unsalted butter over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add the seasoned salmon fillets and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in dried thyme, remaining salt, and black pepper, then add the dry orzo and toast for about 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for about 8 minutes.
- Add spinach, stir, and allow to simmer for another 2 minutes until wilted.
- Stir in lemon juice and grated Parmesan; adjust broth for creaminess if needed.
- Return the seared salmon to the skillet, simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Serving
- Serve the dish topped with freshly ground black pepper and chili flakes.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to a month. Reheat with a splash of broth to retain moisture.