Introduction

Oh, do you ever have those nights where dinner needs to be on the table like, yesterday? You know the ones – busy days, hungry kids (or just hungry grown-ups!), and absolutely zero desire to do a million dishes. Well, friend, I’ve got just the recipe for you! This Creamy Salmon and Orzo Skillet is a total game-changer. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, comes together in one pan, and tastes like you spent hours slaving away in the kitchen. But shhh, we don’t have to tell anyone that, right?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

So Fast: We’re talking weeknight-friendly, minimal fuss.
Super Easy: Seriously, if you can boil water, you can make this!
Perfect for Gifting: Imagine bringing this over to a new parent or a friend going through a tough time. It’s pure comfort food.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even picky eaters tend to love the creamy texture and mild flavors.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success! Here’s what you’ll need for this dreamy skillet:

1 teaspoon kosher salt: The workhorse of flavor!
1 teaspoon garlic powder: Because everything is better with a little garlic.
¼ teaspoon black pepper: Just a little kick.
4 salmon fillets: Look for nice, fresh ones. They’re the star of the show!
1 tablespoon olive oil: For getting that beautiful sear on the salmon.
2 tablespoons butter: Hello, richness!
1 cup dry orzo pasta: These little rice-shaped pastas cook up beautifully creamy.
2 cups chicken broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps cook the orzo.
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas: A pop of color and freshness. Frozen work perfectly!
7 oz Boursin cheese spread or herbed soft cheese: This is the magic ingredient that makes it so incredibly creamy and flavorful. Any herbed soft cheese will do!
1 lemon: For that bright, zesty finish.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, all in one glorious skillet.

Prep Your Salmon: First things first, let’s season those beautiful salmon fillets. Sprinkle them evenly with your kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Get those flavors ready to shine!
Sear the Salmon: Grab a large skillet and heat up your olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully lay your seasoned salmon fillets in the pan. Sear them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they’re gorgeously golden brown and have a nice crust. Once they’re seared, take them out of the skillet and set them aside for a moment. We’ll bring them back later!
Butter Up! Lower the heat to medium and toss in your butter. Let it melt and coat the bottom of the skillet.
Toast the Orzo: Now, add your dry orzo pasta to the skillet. Stir it around constantly for about 1-2 minutes. You want it to get a little toasty and fragrant – this really brings out its nutty flavor.
Broth Bath: Pour in your chicken broth and give everything a good stir. Bring it all up to a gentle simmer. Let it cook, stirring every so often, until the orzo is nice and tender (al dente, as the fancy folks say!). This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
Peas Please! Toss in your green peas and stir them into the creamy orzo. Let them cook for another 2-3 minutes, just until they’re tender and bright green.
Creamy Dreaminess: Here comes the star of the creaminess – the Boursin cheese! Add it to the skillet and stir, stir, stir until it’s completely melted and the orzo is wonderfully creamy and luscious. Oh, it smells amazing!
Salmon Reunion: Gently nestle those beautiful seared salmon fillets back into the creamy orzo mixture. Make sure they have a cozy spot.
Simmer and Finish: Pop a lid on the skillet and let it cook for another 3-5 minutes. This is just enough time for the salmon to cook through and get all warm and delicious.
Zest it Up! The final touch! Squeeze that fresh lemon juice all over the dish right before you serve. It cuts through the richness and adds a lovely brightness.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but there’s always room to play! Here are a few ideas:

Salmon Swap: If salmon isn’t your favorite, you could try this with cod or even shrimp! Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Broth Boost: For an extra layer of flavor, try using vegetable broth or even a bit of white wine when you toast the orzo (reduce it slightly before adding the broth).
Veggie Power: Feel free to add other quick-cooking veggies like spinach (stir it in at the end until wilted), diced bell peppers (sauté them with the orzo), or even some chopped asparagus.
Herb Heaven: A sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley right before serving would be divine!

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make this dish absolutely perfect every time:

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the salmon, make sure your skillet is large enough. If you have to cook the salmon in batches, that’s totally fine! You want a good sear, not a steam.
Stir That Orzo: Giving the orzo a stir every now and then prevents it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and helps it cook evenly.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your food before serving! You might want a pinch more salt or pepper. The lemon juice can also be adjusted to your preference.
Prep Ahead: You can totally season your salmon a little while before you plan to cook it. It won’t hurt anything and just makes the cooking process smoother!

How to Store It

Leftovers? Lucky you! This Creamy Salmon and Orzo Skillet is still delicious the next day. Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems a little dry.

FAQs

Can I use regular rice instead of orzo?

While orzo is specifically chosen for its quick cooking time and creamy texture in this recipe, you could technically use a different small pasta shape like ditalini or even couscous, but the cooking times and liquid amounts would need adjusting. Regular rice is not recommended as it cooks much differently.

Is this recipe too rich with the Boursin cheese?

The Boursin adds a wonderful creaminess and flavor, but it’s balanced by the lemon juice and the freshness of the peas. The portion size also helps! If you’re particularly concerned about richness, you could use a lighter cream cheese alternative or reduce the amount slightly.

Can I make this dairy-free?

This is a bit trickier as the Boursin is key to the creaminess. You could experiment with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a touch of nutritional yeast for flavor, but the texture might be slightly different. You’d also need to ensure your chicken broth is dairy-free.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked through?

The salmon should flake easily with a fork and have an opaque pink color throughout. Since it’s cooked gently in the covered skillet at the end, it’s less likely to overcook, but always err on the side of caution and check after 3 minutes.

Creamy Salmon and Orzo Skillet

A quick, easy, and comforting one-pan salmon and orzo dish that's perfect for weeknights or for gifting. The creamy texture comes from Boursin cheese, and it's finished with a bright squeeze of lemon.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings 4 fillets

Equipment

Large skillet
lid

Ingredients

For the Salmon

1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
4 salmon fillets fresh

For the Orzo

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup dry orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
7 oz Boursin cheese spread or herbed soft cheese
1 lemon for zesting

Instructions

Season salmon fillets evenly with kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Lower heat to medium, add butter to the skillet and let it melt.
Add dry orzo pasta to the skillet and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender.
Add green peas and stir. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until tender and bright green.
Add Boursin cheese to the skillet and stir until completely melted and the orzo is creamy.
Nestle the seared salmon fillets back into the orzo mixture.
Cover the skillet and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish before serving.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.