Description
This One-Pan Cajun Salmon Orzo Recipe delivers a flavorful and creamy meal featuring perfectly seasoned salmon fillets cooked alongside tender orzo and fresh vegetables in a single skillet. With Cajun spices, garlic, and a touch of lemon, this dish is an easy, comforting dinner that combines hearty protein and comforting carbs in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 5-6 oz skinless Atlantic salmon filets
- Avocado oil or olive oil, as needed
- 1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tbsp brown sugar
Vegetables and Sauce
- ½ large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 2 cups chicken bone broth
- 3 oz fresh spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Juice from ½ lemon
- Kosher salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon filets dry with paper towels. Drizzle all sides lightly with oil and rub it in. In a small bowl, mix Cajun seasoning and brown sugar, then sprinkle evenly over both sides of each salmon filet and rub in.
- Cook the Salmon: Heat a 12″ cast-iron or similar pan over medium heat until very hot. Add a light coating of oil to the pan’s bottom. Place the seasoned salmon filets in the pan and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes. Flip gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove salmon from pan and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium-low and add more oil if needed. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, season with kosher salt, and sauté stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes until onion becomes translucent. Add minced garlic, tomato paste, and Cajun seasoning; stir and cook for 2 more minutes. Add orzo and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer with Broth: Deglaze the pan with chicken bone broth, scraping the bottom to release browned bits. Bring broth to a gentle boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off heat. Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, fresh spinach, and add kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Combine gently. Nestle the cooked Cajun salmon filets back into the pan, cover, and let sit for 3 minutes until spinach is wilted and salmon is warmed through. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and a drizzle of honey before serving.
Notes
- You can use a store-bought Cajun seasoning blend or make your own using pantry spices.
- To make this gluten free, substitute Jovial brown rice orzo or DeLallo gluten free orzo; cooking time may vary slightly.
- Use avocado or olive oil depending on preferred flavor and availability.
- If preferred, garnish with fresh parsley and honey for a touch of sweetness.
- Make sure to dry salmon thoroughly before seasoning for best crust and flavor absorption.
