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Salmon fillet in the alfredo orzo in the pan showing the flakiness.

one pot creamy salmon alfredo orzo with greek yogurt

Author: Mika Kinney
4.75 from 4 votes
High protein Greek yogurt and quick cook orzo, this One Pot Salmon Alfredo Orzo makes the perfect filling and quick dinner. 
Total Time: 30 minutes
Protein: 41g
Serves: 2 could b stretched to 3-4 meals
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Equipment

  • 1 extra large non-stick skillet

Ingredients

  • 2 salmon filets
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper (add more as needed)
  • 2 tablespoon Butter
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1.5 cups orzo
  • 2.5 cups chicken bone broth
  • cup parmesan
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup greek yogurt
  • salt and pepper to taste (taste and adjust as needed at the end)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes or cajun can be added for more spice

Before you start!

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Instructions

  • Please note, the flavor of alfredo is garlic and pepper. Should you want different flavors, consider adding red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning in addition to the called for spices.

Make the salmon

  • Sprinkle the bottom of a large nonstick skillet with half of the ½ teaspoon Salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place the 2 salmon filets (skin side down if they have skin) on the pan. Place the cold skillet on the stove and bring to medium heat.
    This process renders the natural fat from the salmon.
  • Use the remaining salt and pepper to season the top of the salmon. Once the salmon has cooked half way flip it and continue to cook. The sides of the salmon will become light pink as it cooks through. It should take 2-minutes per side once the pan comes to heat.
    Once the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees, remove the salmon. Cover the salmon with foil and set aside.

Make the orzo

  • Keeping the skillet on medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoon Butter. Then saute the 2 cloves garlic until fragrant. Finally, add the 1.5 cups orzo and saute for 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly pour the 2.5 cups chicken bone broth into the skillet and stir. Bring the mixture to a low boil and then keep it at a simmer. Continue to cook, stiring occasionally until the orzo has absorbed all the liquid.
  • While the orzo cooks, combine the ⅔ cup parmesan and 1 egg in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Once the orzo is done, remove the pan from heat and add the parmesan and egg mixture. Stir this in until nice and creamy. It's super important to remove from heat so the egg won't scramble. Then stir in the ¼ cup heavy cream. And finally, stir in the ¾ cup greek yogurt.

Combine

  • Taste and adjust with salt and pepper to taste as needed. Return the salmon to the pan and enjoy together!

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

  1. Cook the salmon starting from a cold pan. This is seriously the best trick I have ever learned from TV! You have to sprinkle the bottom of the pan with salt and pepper to keep the salmon from sticking, place the salmon, and turn the heat on. This slow build of heat helps render the natural fat of the salmon without needing to add oil.
  2. Remove the orzo from the heat and then add the cream. Cream and yogurt tend to curdle under too high of heat so remove it from heat, then mix in the egg and parmesan, then the heavy cream, and then the yogurt. This order ensures nothing will cuddle in the process of making the alfredo sauce.

Common Questions:

Can I make this salmon with other spices?
Yes, some spices that would work well are cajun seasoning or lemon pepper. You can also try adding red pepper flakes for a little spice.
Can I make this with another pasta?
No, the amount of broth listed is specifically for orzo. Another pasta type will absorb liquids differently.
Do I need to use a non-stick pan with this cooking method?
Yes, it just makes it that much easier. It will work with not a non-stick but you do run the risk of not coating the bottom in enough seasonings.

Storage & meal prep tips 

Storage

To store this, keep the salmon and orzo in airtight container for up to 3 days. If you can store the orzo and salmon separately, the orzo will last 5 days and the salmon 3 days.

Meal Prep

This dish is best eaten right away so I don’t find it to be meal prep-friendly. However, if you want to make it on a larger scale, you cook the salmon in the oven and the orzo separately. Then combine at the end.

Reheating

To reheat this, add the orzo to the stove and reheat with a little cream. Slowly stir it until it is warmed throughout. The salmon can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top. It does become tough when reheated though (especially wild-caught).

Looking for more information?

Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.

Course: dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: arugula, citrus, gluten free, natural sugar, orzo, pomegranate, salad

Nutrition

Calories: 558kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 754mg | Potassium: 652mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 696IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 2mg
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