Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features perfectly pan-fried salmon fillets glazed with a rich garlic butter sauce and topped with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce infused with white wine and fresh parsley. Ready in just 20 minutes, it makes for an elegant yet easy dinner option that's packed with flavor and creamy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (5-8 oz. each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the 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 the Salmon: Season both sides of the salmon fillets evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Pan-Fry the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the salmon fillets for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, adjusting time depending on thickness. Drain some excess oil from the pan, leaving enough to sauté the garlic.
- Butter Baste: Add butter to the skillet and let it melt. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to scoop the melted butter, spooning it generously over the salmon fillets to coat them.
- Remove Salmon: Take the salmon out of the pan and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Wine (Optional): Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes or until mostly evaporated, infusing the sauce with depth.
- Create Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream, gradually mixing to combine.
- Melt Cheese & Season: Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer Salmon in Sauce: Return the salmon fillets to the pan, spoon some sauce over, and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until salmon is warmed through and sauce is creamy and slightly thickened.
- Serve: Spoon extra sauce over the salmon, garnish with more fresh parsley, then plate and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Herbs – Substitute fresh parsley with thyme or dill for a different herbal note.
- Extra Flavor – Sauté diced shallots or onions along with garlic, or season salmon with garlic and onion powder before searing.
- Zesty Options – Add capers or lemon slices to the cream sauce, or marinate salmon in lemon juice for 15-30 minutes before cooking for a bright flavor.
- Spicy Kick – Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
- Greens Addition – Stir baby spinach into the cream sauce for additional texture and nutrients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (approx. 6 oz.)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
