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Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata Recipe

4.8 from 114 reviews

This Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata recipe features tender, skinless salmon fillets cooked to golden perfection and served with a luscious, buttery lemon sauce enriched with capers and heavy cream. The dish balances bright citrus notes with savory garlic and a hint of brininess, making it a quick yet elegant meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salmon

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

For the Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 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
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Salmon: Place the skinless salmon fillets on a cutting board and season both sides thoroughly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
  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 in the same skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of 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 skillet bottom to release brown bits, then simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
  3. Cooking the Salmon: Add the seasoned salmon fillets carefully to the skillet with heated olive oil and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and flaky. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside to maintain juiciness.
  4. Combining Salmon with the Sauce: Stir 1/4 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of rinsed capers into the simmering sauce. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the cooked salmon to the skillet briefly to coat with the sauce, then remove from heat.
  5. Garnishing and Serving: Garnish the salmon with chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving for added color and brightness.

Notes

  • Ensure salmon fillets are of even thickness for consistent cooking.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best citrus flavor rather than bottled.
  • Do not overcook the salmon to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Rinsing capers helps reduce excess saltiness in the sauce.
  • Serve immediately for optimal taste and texture.

Keywords: Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata, salmon recipe, lemon sauce, capers, creamy sauce, easy dinner, seafood main dish