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Seared Salmon with Lemon Orzo

Seared salmon with lemon orzo pairs crisp, skin-on fillets with buttery orzo tossed with lemon, parsley, and Parmesan. The salmon cooks in a skillet while the orzo simmers until al dente, making a bright, balanced dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 630
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the lemon orzo
  • 8 cups water
  • 2.75 tsp kosher salt divided (2 teaspoons for the water and 3/4 teaspoon for the salmon)
  • 1.5 cups orzo dry
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.33 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
For the salmon
  • 4 salmon fillets 6-ounce, skin-on
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • 1 4-quart saucepan
  • 1 12-inch skillet

Method
 

Make the lemon orzo
  1. Bring the water and 2 teaspoons of the kosher salt to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan over high heat.
  2. Add the orzo and cook uncovered for 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
  3. Drain the orzo well.
  4. Return the orzo to the saucepan and stir in the butter, lemon zest and juice, parsley, and Parmesan.
  5. Cover to keep warm.
Sear the salmon
  1. Pat the salmon dry.
  2. Season both sides with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and the black pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Place the salmon skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes without moving it, until the skin is crisp and the flesh is opaque about halfway up the sides.
  5. Flip the fillets and cook for 2-4 minutes, until the thickest part of each reaches 145°F.
  6. Divide the lemon orzo among four plates.
  7. Serve with the salmon.

Notes

For crisp skin, place the salmon skin-side down in shimmering oil and leave it undisturbed while it cooks. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; freezing is possible, though the orzo may soften when thawed. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free orzo.