Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet is a cozy one-pan dinner with golden seared salmon nestled into creamy lemon dill orzo, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, and parmesan. It's packed with 49 grams of protein per serving and comes together in one skillet, just like my easy one pan salmon dinner and lemon chicken orzo soup.

salmon orzo skillet on tan plate with spoon

A Quick Look

Recipe Name: Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet
Ready In: 50 minutes
Serves: 4 servings
Main Ingredients: olive oil, salmon fillets, garlic, orzo, chicken stock, fresh dill, salt, sliced cherry tomatoes
Why You'll Love It: 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.

Jump to:

One Pan Creamy Lemon Dill Salmon Orzo
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Needed To Make This Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet
How to Make Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet
Erin's Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing leftovers
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Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet

One Pan Creamy Lemon Dill Salmon Orzo

Salmon and orzo are a match made in heaven, and this skillet dinner is proof! The salmon sears first until golden and flaky, then the orzo toasts right in the same pan and simmers in chicken stock with fresh dill, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. A splash of milk, parmesan, and lemon juice turns it into the creamiest, most comforting sauce.

Toasting the orzo before adding the liquid gives it a nutty depth, and all those browned bits from the salmon add so much flavor. It's a fancy-feeling dinner that's actually easy enough for a weeknight. If you love salmon dinners, my pistachio-crusted salmon is another favorite.

It's great for date night, busy weeknights, or meal prep lunches. And if you need more easy salmon recipes like this one, you're going to LOVE my Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packs or my Panko Crusted Dill Baked Salmon!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One skillet. The salmon, orzo, veggies, and sauce all cook in the same pan.
High protein. Each serving has 49 grams of protein.
Creamy without heavy cream. Milk and parmesan make a silky, comforting sauce.
Bright, fresh flavor. Lemon and fresh dill keep it light and vibrant.
Easy to customize. Swap in cod or shrimp, or use spinach instead of asparagus.

Ingredients Needed To Make This Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet

Here's a little bit about everything that goes into this creamy salmon orzo skillet:

Photo of ingredients for Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet with labels.

Salmon fillets: Seared until golden and flaky. Skin-on or skinless both work.
Orzo: Toasted in the pan first for a nutty flavor, then simmered until tender and creamy.
Chicken stock: Cooks the orzo and builds a savory base. Use vegetable broth if you prefer.
Fresh dill: Adds that classic bright, herby flavor that pairs perfectly with salmon.
Cherry tomatoes and asparagus: Add color, sweetness, and a fresh crunch.
Lemon juice: Brightens up the creamy sauce.
Milk and parmesan: Stirred in at the end for a rich, creamy finish.

How to Make Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet

Start by searing the salmon in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden on both sides, then set it aside. In the same pan, sauté the garlic, toast the orzo for a minute, and add the chicken stock, dill, and salt, scraping up all those flavorful browned bits.

Let the orzo simmer, stir in the tomatoes and asparagus, then finish with lemon juice, milk, and parmesan until it's thick and creamy. Nestle the salmon back in to warm through, top with extra dill and parmesan, and dinner is ready!

cooking salmon in a skillet with a spatula

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon (skin side down if it has skin) and cook for 6-7 minutes. Flip and cook for 4-5 more minutes, until cooked through. Set aside.

Step 2: In the same skillet, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the dry orzo and toast for 1 minute.

Step 3: Add the chicken stock, dill, and salt, using a whisk to scrape up the browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes.

salmon orzo in the skillet with tomatoes and asparagus

Step 4: Stir in the cherry tomatoes and asparagus and cook for 5 more minutes.

Step 5: Add the lemon juice, milk, and parmesan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid.

Step 6: Nestle the salmon back into the skillet and heat for about 2 minutes, then turn off the heat. Top with extra parmesan and fresh dill.

Before you start

erin antoniak in the kitchen giving expert tips on how to make her recipes

Erin's Expert Tips

From my kitchen to yours

Toast the orzo. One minute in the pan before adding the stock gives it a deeper, nutty flavor.
Scrape up the browned bits. Use a whisk after adding the stock to lift all that flavor from the salmon off the pan.
Don't overcook the salmon. Add it back at the very end just to warm through so it stays tender and flaky.
Pat the salmon dry. Removing extra moisture helps it get a golden sear.
Add more greens. Stir in a handful of baby spinach at the end and let it wilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions about this creamy salmon orzo skillet.

Salmon is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Pan-seared fillets usually take about 10-12 minutes total, depending on thickness.

Yes! Readers have made this with cod and with shrimp. Just adjust the cook time, since thinner fish and shrimp cook faster.

Yes, use about ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the minced garlic.

Baby spinach, zucchini, or peas all work. Readers have also swapped the cherry tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes.

Yes, it's still delicious without it. Fresh parsley or basil are great substitutes.

It's a full meal on its own, but it pairs well with roasted garlic parmesan potatoes, a simple green salad, or tomato bruschetta.

Storing leftovers

Store leftover salmon orzo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the orzo. Warming it slowly keeps the salmon from drying out.

If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!

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49gprotein

dinner, fish, Main Course, meal-prep