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25-Minute Salmon Piccata with Lemon and Capers over Orzo and Greens Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 81 reviews

This vibrant 25-Minute Salmon Piccata recipe combines tender salmon fillets with a bright, buttery lemon-caper sauce. Served alongside garlicky sautéed greens and creamy orzo pasta, it’s a quick yet elegant meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

Orzo

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste

Sautéed Greens

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 10 ounces greens of choice (spinach, kale, or chard), leaves chopped if large
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Juice and zest of ½ large lemon (optional)

Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin off or on
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Piccata Sauce

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
  • 1 medium lemon, zest and juice
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • Lemon slices, for garnish
  • Dill sprigs and chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Orzo: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of finely minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup orzo and toast for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 2 cups chicken broth (or water), ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, cover, and keep warm.
  2. Cook Greens: While the orzo cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 clove finely minced garlic and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using; sauté for 30 seconds. Add 10 ounces of chopped greens and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring until wilted and tender. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon zest and juice from ½ lemon. Transfer to a serving platter.
  3. Prepare Salmon: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge fillets in ¼ cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon fillets skin side down if using. Cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. Make Salmon Piccata Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat slightly. Add 6 cloves minced garlic and 3 tablespoons capers; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Increase heat to high and deglaze skillet with ½ cup dry white wine, lemon zest, and juice from 1 medium lemon. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce. Add ¼ cup chicken broth, simmer another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 stick of butter until smooth and glossy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Finish and Serve: Return salmon to the skillet briefly to warm through, spooning sauce over the fillets. Plate each salmon fillet with a scoop of orzo and sautéed greens. Spoon additional sauce on top and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, lemon slices, and dill if desired.

Notes

  • Use skin-on salmon for crispier texture but skin can be omitted if preferred.
  • Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor or water if needed.
  • Add red pepper flakes to greens cautiously as it adds heat; omit if sensitive to spice.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch when dredging salmon.
  • Be sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking salmon to ensure even browning.
  • White wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth and a teaspoon of lemon juice if avoiding alcohol.

Keywords: salmon piccata, salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner, lemon caper sauce, orzo pasta, sautéed greens, Italian seafood dish

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/25-minute-salmon-piccata-with-lemon-and-capers-over-orzo-and-greens-recipe/