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    Home > Fish

    Pan-Fried Salmon with Creamy Lemon Orzo

    Published: Feb 13, 2022 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Go to Video Print Recipe

    Beautifully seasoned, tender, pan-fried salmon, nestled in a bed of creamy orzo with lemon and parmesan. It feels like a really special dinner, yet it's quick to make and all cooked in one pan (no pre-boiling of the orzo needed).
    I love to use orzo as an alternative to risotto for a dinner that cooks in far less time!

    Overhead image of pan-fried salmon fillets nestled in a bed of creamy lemon orzo topped with parsley. There are lemon wedges at the edges of the pan.
    Jump to:
    • 📋 What do we need?
    • 📺 Watch how to make it
    • 🍽️ What to serve it with
    • 🍲 More fantastic Fish recipes
    • 🐟 Pan-Fried Salmon with Creamy Lemon Orzo
    • 💬 Reviews

    Have you ever used orzo before? It's such a great store-cupboard ingredient, and cooks up really quickly (usually about 8 minutes).
    You would normally cook it in boiling water, but for this recipe, i'm cooking it in stock, in the SAME PAN as my salmon.

    What is Orzo?

    Although it looks a lot like large grains of rice, orzo is actually pasta. You would usually cook it in boiling water until al dente.
    It works particularly well served in a sauce (like pasta) or in soups.
    It's also known as risoni.

    📋 What do we need?

    Ingredients for Salmon with creamy lemon orzo on a wooden table
    • Salmon - I'm using sockeye or red salmon in this recipe, as I love the colour and the slightly more robust flavour than regular salmon. However, regular salmon works just fine too.
    • Orzo - you can find this on the pasta shelf in most large supermarkets. You don't need a lot. A little goes a long way (especially in a creamy sauce).

    📺 Watch how to make it

    Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    1. First we season the salmon - I like to use a mixture of seasonings, that include garlic salt, parsley and paprika (as well as good old salt and pepper) to give the salmon plenty of flavour and a lovely colour. Once it's seasoned, we fried it, flesh side down for just a few minutes, then transfer to a plate.
    2. Now we add some garlic to the pan, as well as the orzo and chicken stock. The salmon fillets are nestled back in too, so they'll continue to cook, along with the orzo.
    3. Once the orzo is cooked, we stir in some cream, parmesan, lemon zest and juice, plus a little more seasoning if it needs it, and it's ready to serve.

    👩‍🍳PRO TIP Serve right away, as the orzo will continue to absorb liquid if it's left standing too long.

    I like to serve mine with some lemon wedges, black pepper and a sprinkling of parsley.

    Pan-fried salmon fillet in a bowl with creamy orzo, lemon wedges and fresh spinach. There is a fork in the bowl too.

    🍽️ What to serve it with

    • Some fresh baby spinach or a simple green salad
    • Steamed asparagus or peas
    • A nice chunk of garlic bread always goes down well!
    close up overhead image of pan-fried salmon fillets nestled in a bed of creamy lemon orzo topped with parsley. There are lemon wedges at the edges of the pan.

    Can I make it ahead?

    This recipe is best served right away, so I don't recommend making it ahead. If you make it ahead and try to reheat, you'll find that the orzo becomes claggy and the salmon is at risk of drying out.

    Ingredient swaps

    Swap out salmon for smoked haddock or trout fillets

    Add frozen peas in during the last five minutes of cooking if you want a bit of green in there

    How to scale down this recipe

    You can halve this recipe to serve to two people. Just halve the ingredients (same ratios), but stick to the same cooking times.


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    Stay updated with new recipes!
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    Square image of pan-fried salmon fillets nestled in a bed of creamy lemon orzo topped with parsley. There are lemon wedges at the edges of the pan.

    🐟 Pan-Fried Salmon with Creamy Lemon Orzo

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    Pan-fried salmon, nestled in a bed of creamy orzo with lemon and parmesan. So quick to make and all cooked in one pan!
    4.94 from 16 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American-Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 677 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    Salmon and spice rub:

    • 4 salmon fillets
    • 1 Pinch salt
    • 1 Pinch garlic salt
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • ⅛ tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp dried parsley

    Orzo:

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
    • 2 cloves garlic - , peeled and minced
    • 230 g (1 cup plus 2 tbsp) dried orzo
    • 480 ml (2 cups) chicken stock
    • 60 ml (¼ cup) double (heavy) cream
    • 75 g (¾ cup) grated parmesan
    • Zest and juice of ½ a lemon
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper

    To serve:

    • Small bunch fresh parsley - , finely chopped
    • Lemon wedges
    • Black pepper

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Place the salmon fillets on a plate.
    • Mix together the salt, garlic salt, pepper, paprika and dried parsley. Sprinkle onto the top of the salmon and pat it down, so it sticks.
    • Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan (skillet), over a medium-high heat.
    • Add the salmon fillets, skin-side-up (so the part coated with the spice mix is in the oil).
    • Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the salmon is golden brown, then remove the salmon from the pan and place on a plate, skin-side-down (we'll continue cooking it shortly).
    • Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, so the garlic doesn’t burn.
    • Add the dried orzo to the pan, stir with the garlic, then add the chicken stock and stir again.
    • Nestle the salmon fillets into the orzo, skin-side down.
    • Turn the heat back up to medium-high and bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente (cooked, but with a little bite). You'll need to move the salmon with a set of tongs to stir the orzo underneath, so it doesn't stick to the pan.
    • Add the cream, parmesan, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to the orzo and stir together.
    • Turn off the heat, sprinkle on the chopped parsley and a little black pepper. Arrange the lemon wedges in the pan, then serve.

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    Can I make it ahead?
    This recipe is best served right away, so I don't recommend making it ahead. It you make it ahead and try to reheat, you'll find that the orzo becomes claggy and the salmon is at risk of drying out.
    Ingredient swaps
    • Swap out salmon for smoked haddock or trout fillets
    • Add frozen peas in during the last five minutes of cooking if you want a bit of green in there
    How to scale down this recipe
    You can halve this recipe to serve to two people. Just halve the ingredients (same ratios), but stick to the same cooking times.
    Nutritional information is per serving (this recipe serves 4).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 677kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 45gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 131mgSodium: 1070mgPotassium: 945mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 849IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 279mgIron: 2mg
    Keywords Fish Recipes, quick dinner, Salmon
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More

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    1. Sarah Farley says

      July 27, 2023 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my new favorites. I followed almost exactly. I like the pasta well done so I kept tasting until it was to my liking, had to add a little water at the end. Only used 1/3 of called for Parmesan and didn’t use zest instead I used juice of whole lemon. This was my first time cooking orzo, Well done. This is Easy and so tasty.

      Reply
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    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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