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30-Minute Seared Salmon with Lemon Orzo

A delightful and quick meal featuring perfectly seared salmon paired with zesty lemon orzo, making it a family-friendly and flavorful dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 4 pieces salmon fillets (6 oz each) Choose fresh, high-quality fillets
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For searing the salmon
For the Orzo
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced Provides citrus flavor
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water For cooking the orzo
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
  • a pinch red pepper flakes (optional) For an extra kick

Method
 

Cooking the Orzo
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth or water to a boil.
  2. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
Preparing the Salmon
  1. While the orzo cooks, pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel.
  2. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Searing the Salmon
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Once hot, add the salmon fillets skin-side down.
  3. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving, allowing a golden crust to form.
  4. Carefully flip the salmon fillets and add the lemon juice and zest to the pan.
  5. Cook another 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Combining
  1. Once the orzo is ready, toss it with a little olive oil and the remaining lemon zest.
  2. Serve the salmon over the orzo and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the salmon. Use fresh lemon and herbs for better flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.