Creamy Lemon Salmon Piccata Recipe
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.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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