Description
This quick and delicious baked salmon recipe features tender salmon fillets topped with a rich and tangy lemon butter cream sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, this dish offers a delightful blend of creamy, zesty flavors with minimal prep and cooking time.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Lemon Butter Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish. Arrange the salmon fillets on the sheet, drizzle them evenly with olive oil, and season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Bake the salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the flesh flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is cooked through.
- Make the lemon butter cream sauce: While the salmon bakes, melt the unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Then pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer and thicken the sauce: Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired for a hint of heat. Simmer the sauce for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Once the salmon is done baking, spoon the warm lemon butter cream sauce generously over each fillet. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Serve this salmon with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.
- You can substitute chicken broth with white wine to enhance the flavor of the sauce.
- This lemon butter cream sauce also pairs wonderfully with shrimp or other white fish varieties.
