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One Skillet Salmon With Lemon Orzo Recipe

A quick, flavorful dish featuring tender salmon fillets cooked with zesty lemon orzo, all made in one skillet for easy preparation and cleanup. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless salmon fillets
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp unsalted butter
• 1 yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 5 ounces baby spinach
• juice from ½ lemon
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• freshly ground black pepper
• chili flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Gather and Prep Ingredients
   Start by assembling all your ingredients. Grate the Parmesan cheese, finely chop that onion, and mince those garlic cloves. It’s like creating your own little mise en place! Don’t forget to pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel to ensure a nice sear. Season both sides generously with garlic powder, sweet paprika, and half a teaspoon each of salt and pepper. This sets the stage for flavor-packed bites.

2. Step 2: Sear the Salmon
   In a large nonstick pan or skillet, heat up the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once sizzling hot, add the salmon fillets, giving them a 3-4 minute sear on each side until they get that lovely golden crust. Remove them from the skillet and let them rest on a plate. It's like sending them for a well-deserved break while you prep the orzo.

3. Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
   Reduce the heat to medium and toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic into the same skillet. Cook these until they’re soft and sending waves of delicious aromas—about 2 minutes should do the trick. Stir in the thyme along with the remaining salt and pepper. Add the orzo and give it a minute or so to toast, enhancing its nutty flavor.

4. Step 4: Cook the Orzo
   Pour in the chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered, stirring now and then to keep the orzo from sticking. This dance lasts about 8 minutes until the orzo is almost al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed. It’s like a little risotto party happening in your skillet.

5. Step 5: Add Spinach and Finish Orzo
   Toss in the baby spinach and allow it to simmer until it wilts down into the mix, which takes about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and grated Parmesan, and if the mixture seems a tad dry, feel free to add a splash more broth. Give it a taste and adjust the salt to your liking. This step ties it all together, creating a creamy, tangy base for the salmon.

6. Step 6: Reunite the Salmon with Orzo
   Nestle those seared salmon fillets back into the skillet, allowing them to simmer gently in the orzo for 2-3 minutes until they’re heated through. This not only warms them up but also lets them absorb some of the lovely flavors swirling around them.

7. Step 7: Final Touches and Serve
   Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and a dash of chili flakes over everything for an extra kick. Serve it straight from the skillet for a rustic touch, letting everyone dig in and savor the symphony of flavors you’ve just orchestrated. Enjoy this one-pan wonder!

Notes

Embarking on the journey of making One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Orzo can be a delightful experience, but a few hiccups might pop up. One common misstep is overcrowding the pan when searing salmon. This traps steam, leaving you with soggy instead of crispy salmon. To avoid this, cook in batches if needed.

Another hurdle is overcooking the orzo. It’s easy to forget that orzo continues to soften even off the heat. Keep an eye on it, aiming for a slightly firm bite.

Adding spinach too soon is another culprit—wait until the orzo is almost ready. This keeps the spinach vibrant and fresh, avoiding a mushy green mess.

Finally, people often forget to taste and adjust seasonings at the end. A sprinkle of salt or a dash of pepper can make a world of difference. Enjoy your cooking adventure!