Description
Creamy Lemon Chive Salmon is a bright and elegant skillet dinner featuring tender salmon fillets simmered in a silky lemon cream sauce with fresh chives, garlic, and Parmesan. This quick seafood dish is perfect for weeknights yet special enough for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, about 6 oz each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear salmon for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chives.
- Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return salmon to the skillet and spoon sauce over the fillets.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until salmon is fully cooked and flakes easily.
- Garnish with parsley, extra chives, and lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- Do not boil the cream sauce to prevent separation.
- Fresh lemon juice gives the sauce the brightest flavor.
- Use skinless salmon for easier serving, or sear skin-on fillets skin-side down first.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted asparagus.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American