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Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata Recipe

4.5 from 120 reviews

This Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata recipe combines perfectly seared salmon fillets with a luscious, tangy lemon and caper sauce enriched with butter and cream. Each bite offers a delightful balance of bright citrus, savory garlic, and briny capers wrapped in a rich, silky sauce, making it an impressive yet simple dish to elevate your dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Seasoning

  • 1 pound salmon fillets (skinless)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Bases

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup capers (rinsed and drained)

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Salmon: Place the skinless salmon fillets on a clean cutting board and season both sides with salt and black pepper evenly. Set aside while you prepare the skillet.
  2. Making the Creamy Lemon Sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. After cooking the salmon later, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
  3. Cooking the Salmon: Carefully add the seasoned salmon fillets to the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and flaky. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate to keep tender and juicy.
  4. Combining Salmon with the Sauce: Stir 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup rinsed and drained capers into the skillet and simmer for another 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Spoon the creamy lemon sauce over the salmon, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Ensure the salmon is fresh and skinless for best texture and flavor.
  • Do not overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender.
  • Scraping the skillet while adding broth helps to incorporate flavorful browned bits into the sauce.
  • Adjust lemon juice amount to taste if you prefer a more or less tart sauce.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Keywords: salmon piccata, creamy lemon salmon, salmon recipe, easy fish dinner, lemon caper sauce, creamy seafood dish