Description
This creamy garlic butter salmon is a rich and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender salmon fillets seared to perfection and simmered in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. Quick and indulgent, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Seasoning
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking Fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Aromatics
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Sear Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down first and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion, then sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is translucent and softened.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavor.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese fully melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Spinach (Optional): Stir in the baby spinach leaves and cook until they fully wilt, about 1-2 minutes, incorporating them into the creamy sauce.
- Return Salmon to Sauce: Place the seared salmon fillets back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Let it simmer gently for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to reheat the salmon.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Enjoy it with your choice of sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with white wine for a more sophisticated flavor.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream and omit the Parmesan cheese.
