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Corn Orzo with Salmon

Corn Orzo with Salmon
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A quick and flavorful dinner featuring tender orzo pasta, sweet corn kernels, and flaky salmon, ready in under 30 minutes. This one-pan recipe combines balanced nutrition with vibrant flavors and minimal cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 2 salmon fillets (fresh or thawed, skin-on or off)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

Finishing Touches

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley or dill), chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the salmon: Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook salmon skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until crisp. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the salmon flakes easily. Remove from pan and set aside.
  2. Sauté onions and garlic: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
  3. Cook the orzo and corn: Add orzo to the skillet, stirring to coat with oil and aromatics. Pour in vegetable or chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed, stirring in fresh corn kernels halfway through.
  4. Combine and finish: Flake the cooked salmon into bite-sized pieces and gently fold into the orzo and corn mixture. Squeeze lemon juice over the top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley or dill before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh salmon for the best flavor; thawed frozen salmon works well too.
  • Avoid overcooking the salmon; medium-rare to medium texture is ideal as it will finish cooking mixed with orzo.
  • Lightly toast the orzo in olive oil before adding broth to enhance its nutty flavor.
  • Add broth gradually while cooking orzo to prevent mushy pasta and stop once orzo is al dente.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end to maintain vibrant color and aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, orzo, corn, quick dinner, one-pan meal, healthy, weeknight dinner, seafood, easy recipe

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/corn-orzo-with-salmon/