Fish & Seafood Fish Salmon Healthy Salmon Fillet Recipes Skillet Salmon with Orzo & Green Pea Pesto 5.0 (1) 1 Review This delightful one-pan dinner combines salmon fillets with fresh green pea pesto and orzo pasta. Green pea pesto adds a unique twist to the traditional pesto, bringing a hint of sweetness, body and a vibrant green color to your plate. If you like a more traditional pesto flavor, swap out the dill for chopped fresh basil, or use store-bought basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto in its place. By Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell. Over the years, she has tested and developed hundreds of recipes for the magazine and website. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 17, 2024 Tested by Hilary Meyer Tested by Hilary Meyer Hilary Meyer is a freelance recipe developer, tester and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working as a freelancer in the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Rate PRINT Share Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: Sesame-Free Diabetes-Appropriate Healthy Pregnancy Omega-3 Soy-Free High-Fiber Heart-Healthy High-Protein Egg-Free Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco Ingredients Salmon & Orzo 1 1/4 pounds center-cut salmon, skinned and cut into 4 portions 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided 1 tablespoon avocado oil 1 cup orzo, preferably whole-wheat 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 cup chopped baby spinach or arugula Pesto 3/4 cup thawed frozen peas 2 tablespoons avocado oil 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons chopped lightly salted pistachios 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 1 small clove garlic 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper Directions To prepare salmon & orzo: Season salmon with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon; cook, flipping once, until browned on both sides and almost cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco Add orzo to the pan; cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add broth, onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir to combine; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer, stirring once or twice, until the orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in spinach (or arugula). Place the salmon on top of the orzo mixture; cover and let stand until the greens are wilted and the salmon is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco Meanwhile, prepare pesto: Combine peas, oil, Parmesan, pistachios, dill, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until smooth. Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco Serve the salmon over the orzo with a generous dollop of pesto. Nutrition Infromation Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet, 1/2 cup orzo & 2 Tbsp. pestoCalories 497, Fat 22g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 80mg, Carbohydrates 36g, Total sugars 1g, Added sugars 0g, Protein 37g, Fiber 9g, Sodium 548mg, Potassium 813mg EatingWell.com, April 2024 Rate It Print