Description
Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon Piccata is a bright and indulgent seafood dish featuring tender salmon fillets coated in a luscious lemon-garlic cream sauce enriched with capers and butter. This quick and easy recipe balances zesty citrus flavors with smooth, comforting textures, making it perfect for both elegant dinners and weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 fresh skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This ensures a flavorful crust and helps with even cooking.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove salmon from the skillet and keep warm.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add butter along with the minced garlic to the same skillet. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add fresh lemon juice and capers, letting the sauce simmer and reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
- Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously. Allow the sauce to thicken gently until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency, approximately 3-4 minutes. Do not boil.
- Combine and Serve: Return the salmon fillets to the skillet and spoon the creamy lemon garlic sauce over them. Warm together for 1 minute, then plate and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavors.
- Do not overcook salmon; remove from heat once it flakes easily to keep it moist.
- Simmer cream gently to avoid curdling and achieve a smooth sauce.
- Toast capers briefly in the pan before adding liquids to enhance their texture and flavor.
- Let the plated dish rest for a minute to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: salmon, creamy lemon garlic sauce, piccata, seafood, quick dinner, healthy, gluten free, easy recipe
