Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (4-6 oz each, approx. 1 inch thick)
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- ⅓ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (more if desired)
Pasta & Liquids
- 2 ¾ cups chicken broth (more as needed to thin sauce)
- 1 ½ cups orzo
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
Cheese & Garnish
- 5.3 ounces Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Spreadable Cheese
- Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep Oven: Preheat your oven to 415℉ to prepare for baking the salmon after searing.
- Prep Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
- Sear Salmon: Heat a large oven-safe skillet or braiser over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat until it sizzles with a flick of water. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up and sear for 3-4 minutes until golden.
- Bake: Flip the salmon fillets over and transfer the skillet directly to the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon’s internal temperature reaches 140-145℉. Remove salmon from the skillet, discard the skin if it comes off, and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat on the stovetop. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 1 minute, gently moving them around. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth, add the orzo and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt. Stir to combine, cover the pan, and cook for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is almost tender. Stir frequently and scrape the pan bottom to prevent sticking, adding extra broth as needed.
- Add Cheese and Spinach: Reduce heat slightly. Smash the tomatoes with the back of a fork to release juices. Stir in the Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs cheese and chopped spinach. Mix well and allow the cheese to melt into the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Nestle the cooked salmon fillets back into the orzo mixture. Cook on medium-low heat until the orzo is fully cooked and heated through. Serve immediately topped with freshly shredded parmesan cheese.
Notes
- To check salmon doneness, use an instant-read thermometer; 140-145℉ is ideal for moist, flaky fish.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- For extra creaminess, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream along with the Boursin cheese.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to easily transition from stove to oven without transferring ingredients.
- Stir frequently while cooking orzo to prevent it sticking to the pan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American