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Switch up your standard salmon routine and try out this delicious Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet! Between the veggies, parmesan cheese, and lemon, it’s overflowing with savory flavors.
An easy to make salmon dish
When it comes to cooking salmon, you can get truly creative with the recipe. There are so many ways to serve it, whether that’s in a sticky rice bowl, teriyaki style, cajun style… the list goes on! But today, we’re whipping up the meat in a delicious and creamy salmon orzo skillet.
This recipe using lots of veggies, making it nutritious in protein and a number of nutrients. It comes together easily and serves four perfectly.
Ingredients in this creamy salmon orzo skillet
This orzo dinner kicks off with just what you’d expect — salmon and orzo! We’ll be adding flavor with ingredients like dill, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, lemon, and parmesan.
- Olive oil: First up, 2 tbsp of olive oil will be used to cook the salmon.
- Salmon: For the salmon itself, you will need 4 fillets. This should equal about 2 lbs of meat.
- Garlic: Add flavor by including 3 cloves of minced garlic. If using garlic powder, use 3/4 tsp.
- Orzo: 1 cup of orzo will thicken up the recipe and help create a delicious salmon orzo skillet.
- Chicken stock: Add 2 cups of chicken stock to help create the delicious creamy texture (you can use chicken broth if that’s what you have). For a vegetarian stock option, vegetable broth is fine.
- Dill: Next, 2 tbsp of fresh dill helps to flavor the recipe. Lightly chop before adding to the dish.
- Salt: Add even more flavor with 1/2 tsp of salt.
- Cherry tomatoes: Throw in some veggies starting with cherry tomatoes. Use 1 cup, sliced.
- Asparagus: Follow the tomatoes with 1 cup of chopped asparagus.
- Lemon: Juice from 1/2 of a lemon helps to add a nice tangy flavor to the recipe.
- Milk: Contribute to the creamy texture by adding 1/2 cup of milk.
- Parmesan cheese: Finish things off with 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Toppings: Top your dish with extra dill and parmesan — as much as you’d like!
Tool used to make this creamy salmon orzo dish
Few tools are required to make this dish. Everything needed is listed below, including appropriate measuring cup sizes:
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
- Skillet
- Stirring utensil
- Spatula or fork
- Measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup
How to make this creamy salmon orzo skillet recipe
This recipe yields four satisfying servings. It’s easy to bring together, requiring only 5 main steps. Let’s get started!
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once hot, add the salmon (if the skin is on, place the salmon skin side down). Cook for 6-7 minutes, and then flip and cook on the other side for 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. Take the salmon out and place it on a separate plate.
Next, add the minced garlic to skillet followed by the dry orzo. Mix it all around and let the orzo toast for one minute. Pour in the chicken stock, dill, and salt, and use a whisk to scrape all the brown bits off of the bottom of the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After 5 minutes, add the tomatoes and asparagus. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often.
Add the lemon juice, milk, and parmesan cheese, and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the orzo mixture has absorbed most of the liquid.
Nestle the salmon fillets back into the skillet and let them heat through for about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Top with more parmesan and dill and serve!
Storing leftovers
Leftover salmon and orzo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The same goes for freezing — transfer to an airtight container. Enjoy within 2 months.
Recipe Tips
How long does it take to pan fry salmon?
When pan frying salmon, you can tell it’s done cooking if the top layer becomes flakey and pulls apart easily with a fork. This usually takes around 8 minutes.
What can I add to my creamy salmon orzo skillet?
If you’d like to add extra ingredients to this dish, you can add baby spinach (cook it down until it’s wilted), diced shallots, diced yellow onion, oregano, paprika, or red pepper flakes to taste! Some also add red wine vinegar or dry white wine, but do so at your own discretion.
What is best served with salmon?
You can serve up this dish with a number of tasty sides! Consider options like Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes, Corn Pudding, Summer Avocado Corn Salad, or Tomato Bruschetta!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Want to try some more salmon dishes? Here are some tasty options! The teriyaki recipe is a favorite.
- Grilled Asian Inspired Salmon with Coconut Rice
- Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packs
- Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
- Sticky Salmon Rice Bowls
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet
Switch up your standard salmon routine and try out this delicious Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet! Between the veggies, parmesan cheese, and lemon, it’s overflowing with savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 salmon fillets, about 2lbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped lightly
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- extra dill and parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Once hot, add salmon (if skin is on, skin side down). Cook for 6-7 minutes, then flip and cook other side 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. Take salmon out and place on a separate plate.
- Add minced garlic to skillet, then add dry orzo. Mix around and let orzo toast for one minute. Pour in chicken stock, dill, and salt and use a whisk to scrape all the brown bits off the bottom of the skillet. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 5 minutes, add the tomatoes and asparagus. Cook another 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add in lemon juice, milk, and parmesan cheese, and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until orzo has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Nestle salmon fillets back into skillet and let heat through for about 2 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Top with more parmesan and dill and serve!
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Chelsea says
Made this tonight and it was so good! I was tired of the same rotation of salmon recipes I have. Glad to have found this one 🙂
Erin says
Hi Chelsea, so happy you loved it! 🙂
ava says
this was so good and easy!! loved the chopped asparagus and that it wasn’t as overly creamy as a lot of orzo skillet recipes are. i will make it again for sure 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ava, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂
Erin Clark says
This recipe is incredible! Fast, easy and tastes absolutely amazing. Thanks Erin!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved it!!
Ariel says
Hi! Thanks for this! Any non dairy alternative I can use instead of milk? Or is it ok to omit completely? Thank you
Erin says
Hi Ariel, any dairy free sub will work like oat or almond milk or whatever you prefer! Let me know how yours comes out!!
Emma says
Made this for dinner last week- wow!! Definitely one we will come back to. So easy and tasty!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
Erica says
This recipe was great! My kids do not eat salmon so I made chicken breasts in the pan first and then made the orzo right after. I had leftover broccoli that I added in. It’s a quick and easy recipe. I feel like there are so many ways to slightly modify it depending on what you have in the fridge to use up and your dinner will still turn out delicious. We had no complaints and no leftovers!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erica, so happy you loved it and made it your own! 🙂
Ashley says
Truly one of my favorite things Erin has ever come up with! Delicious dinner and so easy to make. Will be adding to my monthly rotation! Erin, you are so creative and come up with the best combination of flavors!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ashley, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
len says
Sorry for the slightly off topic. I love pan fried salmon. What i dont love about it is my whole house smells of fish after cooking. I think I have decent range hood. is this is a me problem?
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi, so happy you like salmon too and hmm kinda of comes with cooking it. Maybe try cooking with your window cracked open. Hope that helps!
Meagan Smith says
Could I make this with rice instead of orzo?
Erin says
Hi Meagan, yes of course! The cooking time might be slightly different so just make sure the rice is cooked through! Let me know how it comes out!
Beckie says
Delicious! I baked the salmon separately and worked out fine! Orzo is nice and creamy and all the veggies make it healthy and colorful. Another winner!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Beckie, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂
Lena says
Hi, can I use vegetable stock instead?
Erin says
Hi Lena, sure that should be good to! Let me know how yours comes out! 🙂
Emma says
This is a fabulous dish!! 10/10. I do live at elevation so probably could have gone with slightly less chicken stock, but truly this dish is absolutely delish!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy you enjoyed it!! 🙂
Rachel says
Convenient ingredients that I already had in my fridge and pantry. The orzo was SO good I had two servings. I used spinach instead of asparagus because that’s what I had. We’ll definitely make again!
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so happy you loved it and made it your own! 🙂
Rebecca Maxwell says
I made this tonight, and my husband and I loved it! The flavors were perfect! Thank you so much for the great recipe!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Rebecca, so happy you both loved it so much! 🙂
Ashley says
Hi! Could you sub milk for something else?
Erin says
Hi Ashley, yes, but you need some form of liquid – stock would work! Just less creamy. Let me know how it comes out!
Deb says
Amazing! This was really good. I followed the recipe exactly but left out the tomatoes and added a little more asparagus. Family loved it.
Erin says
Hi Deb, so happy you loved it and great idea!!