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Creamy Skillet Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

Pan-seared salmon fillets cooked in a rich and creamy lemon butter sauce, finished in one skillet for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Season the salmon fillets on both sides with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes until golden.
  4. Flip salmon and cook for another 2–3 minutes, then remove from skillet and set aside.
  5. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet.
  6. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Pour in the broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
  8. Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese.
  9. Simmer the sauce for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  10. Return salmon to the skillet and spoon sauce over the fillets.
  11. Cook for 2 more minutes until salmon is cooked through.
  12. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
  • Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
  • Do not boil the sauce to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy skillet salmon, lemon butter salmon, salmon in cream sauce, easy salmon recipe