Creamy Salmon Orzo Skillet

salmon orzo skillet on tan plate with spoon

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.

Course dinner, fish, Main Course, meal-prep

Cuisine American

Keyword salmon and orzo, skillet salmon recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 574kcal

Author Erin Antoniak

Ingredients

2 tablespoon olive oil
4 salmon fillets about 2lbs
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup orzo
2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoon fresh dill chopped lightly
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
1 cup asparagus chopped
½ lemon juiced
½ cup milk
½ 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!

Notes

Toast the dry orzo in the skillet for one minute before adding liquid. This quick step deepens the flavor noticeably.
Use a whisk to scrape all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan after adding the chicken stock. That's concentrated flavor you don't want to leave behind.
Nestle the salmon back in at the very end just to heat through (about 2 minutes). It's already cooked, so you're just warming it up; don't let it go any longer or it'll dry out.

Nutrition