Salmon Orzo Recipe: A Flavorful and Easy Weeknight Meal

This delicious salmon orzo recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. It's packed with flavor, easy to customize, and sure to become a family favorite. This post will guide you through creating this simple yet elegant dish, covering everything from ingredient selection to serving suggestions, all optimized for search engines.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe serves 4 and can easily be scaled up or down depending on your needs.

• 1 lb Salmon Fillet: Choose a high-quality fillet, skin on or off, depending on your preference. Look for wild-caught salmon for optimal flavor and nutritional value.
• 1 cup Orzo Pasta: Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully.
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes: Halved or quartered, depending on their size.
• 1/4 cup Kalamata Olives: Pitted and halved or quartered.
• 1/4 cup Red Onion: Finely chopped.
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced.
• 1/4 cup Dry White Wine: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works well. You can substitute with chicken broth if preferred.
• 1/4 cup Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and acidity.
• 2 tbsp Fresh Dill: Chopped – provides a lovely fresh herbal note.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Optional additions: Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or other vegetables can be added for extra flavor and nutrients.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like paprika or garlic powder at this stage.

2. Cook the Orzo: Cook the orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

4. Add Tomatoes and Olives: Add the cherry tomatoes and olives to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until slightly softened.

5. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for a minute or two, allowing the alcohol to cook off.

6. Combine Orzo and Sauce: Add the cooked orzo to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables and sauce.

7. Bake the Salmon: While the orzo is cooking, place the seasoned salmon fillet in a baking dish and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillet.

8. Combine and Serve: Once the salmon is cooked, flake it into the orzo mixture. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and garnish with extra dill or feta cheese (optional).

Tips and Variations:

• For a creamier sauce: Stir in a dollop of cream cheese or Greek yogurt at the end.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Make it vegetarian: Substitute the salmon with chickpeas or artichoke hearts.
• Meal prep friendly: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated.

SEO Keywords Used:

This recipe uses keywords like "salmon orzo recipe," "easy salmon recipe," "weeknight dinner," "healthy salmon recipe," "orzo pasta recipe," and variations thereof throughout the text to optimize for search engine visibility. The focus is on natural keyword integration rather than forced keyword stuffing.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this salmon orzo as a complete meal on its own. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would complement the dish perfectly.

This detailed recipe, with its optimized structure and keyword usage, aims to rank highly in search engine results for relevant queries. Remember to promote your blog post through social media and other online channels to boost its visibility further.