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A plated 20-minute easy salmon dinner, perfectly cooked with a crispy skin.

Lemon-Herb Crusted Pan-Seared Salmon with Quick Greens

This recipe features tender pan-seared salmon with a vibrant lemon-herb crust, served alongside quickly wilted greens. It's a delicious and healthy meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets skin on or off
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped dill
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups pre-washed baby spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice for serving
  • cherry tomatoes Optional: sliced for garnish

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Small bowl
  • Large non-stick skillet
  • Small pan

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
  2. Combine lemon zest, parsley, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; press this mixture onto the top of each salmon fillet.
Cooking
  1. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Place salmon fillets, herb-crusted side down or skin-side down, into the hot skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes until a golden crust forms and the skin is crispy.
  3. Flip the salmon, reduce heat to medium, and cook for another 3-5 minutes until cooked through and flakes easily.
  4. While the salmon cooks, quickly warm the greens in a separate small pan for 1-2 minutes until wilted, or serve them fresh.
Serving
  1. Remove salmon from the skillet, arrange on plates with the greens, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over both.
  2. Garnish with sliced cherry tomatoes if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure salmon is patted very dry for a crispier crust. Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your salmon fillets.