Lemon-Caper Salmon & Orzo with Zucchini & Bell Pepper

Lemon-Caper Salmon & Orzo

with Zucchini & Bell Pepper

40 MIN
2 Servings
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  • with Salmon
    includes two 5-oz Sustainably Sourced Skin-On Salmon Fillets
  • with Chicken Breasts
    includes 2 No Added Hormones, Antibiotic-Free, Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts View recipe
  • with Salmon

    From the Test Kitchen

    This bright, flavorful dish features flaky, crispy skin salmon served over a bed of tender orzo—tossed with sautéed vegetables and a rich, tangy sauce made from butter, lemon, and briny capers.
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    • Nutrition
      PER SERVING
    • Calories
      650 Cals (est.)
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    ingredients
    Lemon-Caper Salmon & Orzo with Zucchini & Bell Pepper
    Title
    • 2 Skin-On Salmon Fillets
    • 4 oz Orzo Pasta
    • 1 Zucchini
    • 1 Bell Pepper
    • 1 Tbsp Capers
    • 1 Lemon
    • 1 oz Salted Butter
    • 2 cloves Garlic
    • 1 Tbsp Weeknight Hero Spice Blend (Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika & Whole Dried Parsley)
    Prepare the ingredients
    1 Prepare the ingredients

    Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Medium dice the zucchini. Cut off and discard the stem of the pepper. Quarter lengthwise; remove the ribs and seeds, then thinly slice crosswise. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Roughly chop the capers. Quarter and deseed the lemon.

    2 Cook the pasta

    Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.

    Cook the pasta
    Cook the vegetables
    3 Cook the vegetables

    Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the diced zucchini; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the sliced pepper and chopped garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Transfer to a plate. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

    4 Cook the fish

    Pat the fish dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. Season only on the skinless side with enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned fish, skin side down. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until the skin is browned and crispy. Flip and cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate, skin-side up. 

    *The USDA recommends a minimum safe cooking temperature of 145°F for fish.

    Cook the fish
    Make the sauce
    5 Make the sauce

    To the pan of reserved fond, add the butter, chopped capers, and the juice of 2 lemon wedges (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook on medium-high, stirring constantly and scraping up any fond, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined and the butter is melted. Turn off the heat.

    6 Finish the pasta & serve your dish

    To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked vegetables and half the sauce; stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the cooked fish with the finished pasta. Top the fish with the remaining sauce. Serve the remaining lemon wedges on the side, if you'd like. Enjoy!

    Finish the pasta & serve your dish
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