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Creamy Garlic Marry Me Salmon

Creamy garlic marry me salmon recipe with rice and lemon
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Creamy Garlic Marry Me Salmon is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a busy weeknight. This one pan salmon dinner transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious experience, making you look like a culinary genius with minimal fuss. It is the perfect quick salmon recipe for when you want to treat yourself or someone you love, proving that a romantic dinner idea does not have to be complicated.

Ingredients

  • Salmon Fillets: 4 (6-ounce) skin-on or skinless fillets
  • Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for searing
  • Butter: 2 tablespoons
  • Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced
  • Heavy Cream: 1 cup
  • Chicken or Vegetable Broth: 1/2 cup
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup
  • Spinach: 2 large handfuls (about 3-4 cups)
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: 1/3 cup, chopped
  • Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
  • Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
  • Salt and Black Pepper: To taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Sear the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side up if they have skin. Sear for 4-6 minutes, without moving them, until a golden-brown crust forms. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
  2. Create the Creamy Garlic Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the salmon. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  3. Bring It All Together: Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Then, whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring until the spinach has wilted into the sauce, which only takes a minute or two.
  4. Finish and Serve: Return the seared salmon fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each fillet. Let everything heat through for 3-4 minutes, until the salmon is cooked to your preferred doneness. Garnish with fresh parsley or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

Avoid these simple pitfalls to ensure your salmon turns out perfectly every time. Do not skip the step of patting the salmon dry as this prevents proper searing. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it becomes bitter. Remember the salmon will continue to cook when returned to the warm sauce, so it is better to slightly undercook it when searing. Let your heavy cream sit out for 10-15 minutes before using to prevent potential curdling. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a small splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Do not recommend freezing this dish as the creamy sauce may separate upon thawing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/creamy-garlic-marry-me-salmon/