Description
Delicious and creamy garlic butter salmon cooked to perfection with a rich Parmesan cream sauce, enhanced by fresh parsley and optional white wine for depth of flavor. Perfect for an elegant yet easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (5-8 oz. each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Sauce
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Salmon: Season both sides of the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Pan-Fry Salmon: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and pan-fry the salmon for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain excess oil, leaving a small amount in the pan for sautéing garlic.
- Add Butter and Baste: Melt butter in the pan, tilt it toward you, and spoon the melted butter over the salmon fillets to infuse them with rich flavor.
- Remove Salmon: Take the salmon out of the pan and set aside to prepare the sauce without overcooking the fish.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds, to build the aromatic base of the sauce.
- Deglaze with Wine: Add the optional dry white wine and simmer for 2 minutes or until most of the wine evaporates, concentrating the flavors.
- Add Broth and Cream: Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Melt Cheese and Season: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season the sauce with chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Reheat Salmon: Return the salmon fillets to the pan and simmer for a few more minutes until warmed through and coated in sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy sauce over the salmon, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Herbs – Switch fresh parsley with thyme or dill for a different flavor profile.
- Add more flavor – Sauté diced shallots or onions with garlic or season the salmon with garlic and onion powder before searing.
- Zest it up – Add capers for zest, include lemon slices in the cream sauce, marinate salmon in lemon juice for 15-30 minutes, or drizzle lemon juice over the finished dish.
- Add some heat – Incorporate red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Spinach – Add baby spinach to the cream sauce for added nutrients and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
