Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features perfectly pan-fried salmon fillets coated in a luscious garlic butter sauce enriched with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. The easy stovetop method creates a rich, flavorful dinner in just 20 minutes that's perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
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 the flavor.
- Pan-fry salmon: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add salmon fillets and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Drain excess oil, leaving a little for garlic sautéing.
- Spoon butter over salmon: Melt butter in the pan, tilt the pan, and spoon the melted butter generously over the salmon fillets to infuse rich flavor.
- Remove salmon: Take the salmon out of the pan and set aside temporarily to prepare the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add white wine (optional): Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes or until it evaporates to deglaze the pan.
- Add liquids and cream: Reduce heat to medium-low and add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
- Melt cheese and season: Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Season with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- Simmer sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Return salmon to pan: Place the salmon back into the pan and simmer for a few more minutes until heated through and coated with sauce.
- Serve: Spoon extra sauce over each salmon fillet, garnish with additional parsley, and serve hot for a creamy, savory meal.
Notes
- Herbs: Substitute fresh parsley with thyme or dill for a different herbal note.
- Flavor boost: Sauté diced shallots or onions with the garlic, or season salmon with garlic and onion powder before cooking for deeper flavor.
- Zesty twist: Add capers to the cream sauce or lemon slices while simmering. Marinate salmon in lemon juice for 15-30 minutes or drizzle lemon juice over before serving for brightness.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Extra greens: Stir baby spinach into the cream sauce for added nutrition and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
