One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo

Introduction

If you’re looking for a meal that’s both delicious and effortlessly elegant, One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo delivers big flavors with minimal fuss. This is a crowd-pleasing recipe that turns a weeknight dinner into a citrusy, herb-packed occasion—all in just one pan. The tender, flaky salmon perfectly complements the bright, zesty orzo, making it a meal worth repeating.

Why Make This One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo?

This dish captures everything you want in a simple yet impressive dinner: speedy prep, minimal cleanup, and that magical combination of juicy salmon and creamy, lemon-infused orzo. The one skillet approach means that every element soaks up all the aromatic flavors, making each bite vibrant and satisfying.

Building Flavor: Tips for a Bright, Citrusy Orzo

To achieve an irresistibly creamy orzo, sauté the aromatics before simmering in broth and lemon juice—this brings out their full flavor. A Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper is perfect for uniformly mincing your shallots and prepping fresh herbs quickly. Toss in baby spinach at the very end for color and a hint of earthiness.

For best results, use chicken broth or vegetable stock as your liquid—it imparts richness you can’t get from water alone. The bright lemon zest ties all the flavors together and keeps the dish feeling light.

Perfectly Cooked Salmon—Every Time

Start by seasoning your salmon fillets and searing them skin-side down in a nonstick pan. The SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch is ideal for this job, ensuring easy release and even browning without sticking. Once the salmon is almost cooked through, set aside and let it finish in the residual heat while you prepare the orzo.

Don’t forget to check doneness with a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking—salmon is perfect at 125-130°F, ensuring it’s moist and flaky.

Finishing Touches: Bringing it All Together

After simmering the orzo to creamy perfection, add back the salmon fillets and a handful of fresh herbs. Hit the dish with extra lemon zest right before serving for an uplifting finish.

For a stress-free cleanup, line your prep station with the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll to catch any drips or chopped ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

Plate the salmon over a bed of lemony orzo and garnish with fresh dill, parsley, or extra lemon wedges. Send leftovers to work the next day in a Bentgo Salad Container to keep your meal fresh and portable.

Pair this dish with a green salad and a crisp, chilled white wine for a perfectly balanced dinner.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields four generous servings. Each portion (including orzo and salmon) contains roughly 500 calories, with plenty of protein, vitamin-rich spinach, and the healthy omega-3s found in salmon.

One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo (Recap)

This dish brings together succulent salmon and creamy, lemony orzo for a satisfying dinner with easy prep and minimal cleanup. From quick vegetable prep to foolproof salmon searing, it’s a recipe you’ll reach for again and again.

Instructions

1. Pat salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in your SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high heat. Add salmon fillets skin-side down. Sear for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and mostly cooked through. Transfer salmon to a plate and tent with foil.
3. Add remaining olive oil to same skillet. Sauté the shallot and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Pour in orzo, stirring to toast for 1 minute.
4. Add broth and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Stir occasionally until orzo is creamy and tender, 8–10 minutes.
5. Stir in lemon juice and zest, then add baby spinach. Cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
6. Return salmon fillets to skillet, nestling them into the orzo. Top with fresh dill or parsley, plus parmesan if using. Heat for 1 more minute to warm the salmon through.
7. Finish with more lemon zest before serving.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes