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One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Easy Recipe

One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo Easy Recipe

One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring zesty lemon orzo, perfectly seared salmon, and spinach.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 391 kcal

Equipment

  • skillet

Ingredients
  

Fish

  • 4 fillets salmon about 6 oz each

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes optional

Cooking Essentials

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter

Vegetables

  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 5 ounces baby spinach

Pasta

  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta

Broth

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Finishings

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté chopped onion and minced garlic for about 2 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  • Stir in dried thyme, remaining salt, and pepper. Add orzo and toast for 1 minute.
  • Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is nearly tender.
  • Add spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
  • Stir in lemon juice and grated Parmesan until creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Return salmon to the skillet and simmer for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
  • Garnish with chili flakes if desired and serve warm.

Notes

Use salmon fillets of similar thickness for even cooking. Stir the orzo occasionally to prevent sticking and achieve a creamy texture. Add extra broth if the orzo absorbs too much liquid before becoming tender. Substitute spinach with kale, broccoli, or peas if preferred. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 43gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 959mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
Keyword easy recipe, low-calorie, One Skillet, orzo, Quick Dinner, salmon
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