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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Italian Main Courses

    Salmon Piccata

    Published: Jan 6, 2021 by Marissa Stevens · 12 Comments

    Gluten FreePaleoMediterraneanQuick MealsPescatarian

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Salmon Piccata is a salmon lover’s twist on classic piccata. Crispy seared salmon is adorned with a lemon butter caper sauce, a simple recipe that takes this buttery fish to new flavor heights. A delectable dish that's dinner party special and weeknight easy, made in less than 30 minutes.

    Salmon Piccata served on a white oval platter

    There's something special about salmon. That pink flesh and silvery skin are irresistible. There are few other types of fish with so much character. And the best part? Salmon is incredibly easy to cook.

    Ingredients You Need to Make Salmon Piccata

    Salmon Piccata Ingredients on a white marble board
    • Salmon Fillets: Skin removed and of even thickness. Or skin-on, directions for crisping it up in the recipe notes.
    • Butter: Salted or unsalted.
    • Chicken Broth: Or chicken stock. You could also use fish stock to make this a Pescetarian friendly dish.
    • Lemons: One for the recipe and an optional second one for garnish.
    • Capers: Brined or salt cured, rinsed and drained.
    • Avocado Oil: Or other high heat vegetable oil to give you that great sear!
    • Parsley: Optional for garnish.
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    It all starts with a couple of thick, skinless salmon filets (or skin-on if you prefer to crisp up the skin). Though piccata recipes typically call for coating with flour or cornstarch (like my Pork Piccata, Shrimp Piccata and Chicken Thigh Piccata), with salmon piccata just searing them works best. The salmon fillets end up lighter in calories, but still enticingly crispy. An ideal main course for a dinner party where some of your guests may follow a gluten-free or keto / low-carb diet (make Cauliflower Piccata for those following a vegetarian diet).

    Salmon Piccata served on a white oval platter

    Once you sear the salmon fillets (take care to not overcook them!) you’ll let them rest and use the same skillet to put together the luscious lemon butter caper sauce. You’ll just need a splash of broth, fresh lemon juice, a few spoonfuls of capers and butter. Drizzled over the steamy salmon, you'll end up with a restaurant-quality meal that no one will believe you prepared in minutes. 

    What to Serve with Salmon Piccata

    • Roasted Italian Potatoes or Fondant Potatoes and Arugula Salad or Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • Mashed Red Potatoes and Rapini with Raisins and Hazelnuts
    • For dessert: Chocolate Panna Cotta or Affogato

    How to Make Salmon Piccata

    In a large non-stick skillet, sear seasoned salmon fillets flesh side down in hot oil until crispy. Gently flip and cook 1 minute more; transfer to plate. 

    seasoned salmon fillets
    searing salmon on first side
    searing salmon on second side

    Pour out and discard oil. Return skillet to heat and add broth, lemon juice, and capers; bring to boil and reduce slightly. Stir in butter. Return salmon fillets to skillet and spoon sauce over until salmon is warm and just cooked through.

    making lemon butter caper sauce in skillet
    butter melting in sauce
    spooning sauce over salmon in skillet

    Transfer salmon to platter and spoon sauce over. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley if desired; serve.

    salmon piccata served with lemon slices on a white platter
    Salmon Piccata served on a white oval platter

    Salmon Piccata

    Marissa Stevens
    Crispy seared salmon in a lemon butter caper sauce. A salmon lovers twist on classic piccata!
    5 from 4 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 373 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets (see recipe note for crispy skin lovers)
    • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or other high heat oil
    • ½ cup chicken broth
    • 1 large lemon juiced, ~3 tablespoons
    • ¼ cup capers drained and rinsed
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish, optional
    • 1 small lemon thinly sliced for garnish, optional

    Instructions
     

    • Season salmon fillets with kosher salt and pepper.
    • Heat avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add salmon fillets in a single layer and cook undisturbed until golden and crisp on one side, 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and, with a thin spatula, flip each fillet and cook 1-2 minutes more until nearly done (they'll continue to cook on the plate and be returned to the pan for one minute, so take care not to overcook). Transfer salmon fillets to clean plate.
    • Add broth, lemon juice, and capers to skillet and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits; boil until reduced slightly, 1-2 minutes. Add butter and stir to melt. Return salmon fillets to skillet and spoon sauce over until coated and heated through, about 1 minute (or until salmon is cooked to your liking). Remove from heat and transfer salmon and sauce to platter. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices if desired and serve.

    Notes

    1. If you prefer to leave the skin on your salmon fillets, sear them skin side down until the skin is crispy, 6 to 7 minutes then flip and cook flesh side down for just 1 to 2 minutes more before transferring to plate.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 35gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 536mgPotassium: 931mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 258IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword date night, dinner party, gluten free, keto, low carb, weeknight
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Italian Main Courses

    • Chicken Thigh Piccata
    • Cauliflower Piccata
    • Chicken Saltimbocca
    • Tuna Pasta

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      January 27, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      Piccata anything is my jam, so I'm sitting here wondering how the heck I've never had salmon piccata before! I mean, mind blown!! This salmon is absolutely SCREAMING my name! You cooked the salmon so perfectly - I wish I could reach through my screen, grab it and gobble it up! I can't wait to make this!! Yummy yummy!!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 29, 2021 at 2:57 pm

        You always make me smile, Chey! So excited for you to try this!

        Reply
    2. Valentina says

      January 12, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      I'm in at "lemon caper." Add the butter and I'm SO in. This is one of my favorite flavor combinations ever, and with salmon it's amazing. The sear on your salmon fillets is beautiful! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 13, 2021 at 9:20 am

        Thank you so much, Valentina! I'm excited for you to try this!

        Reply
    3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      January 09, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      Piccata dishes are our favorite Marissa! And I'm definitely looking to add more seafood to our diet, so I'll be giving this dish a try soon. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 13, 2021 at 9:21 am

        That's wonderful to hear, Mary Ann. Thank you!

        Reply
    4. David @ Spiced says

      January 07, 2021 at 4:28 am

      5 stars
      What a fun twist on piccata! I do love the flavors in chicken piccata - they are a great way to brighten up these cold winter days. Switching things up and using salmon instead sounds quite tasty. This is a great healthy meal for these post-holiday days!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 13, 2021 at 9:21 am

        I agree, David. Thanks so much!

        Reply
    5. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      January 06, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      I don't think I've actually ever combined salmon with capers, but this combo sounds great. Needless to say, the salmon itself looks perfectly cooked and so appetizing!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 13, 2021 at 9:21 am

        Thank you, Ben .You'll love the combo, I promise!

        Reply
    6. angiesrecipes says

      January 06, 2021 at 5:55 am

      This is so appetizing! The salmon filets are perfectly seared and the tangy lemon caper sauce has my mouth water terribly. A fantastic dish!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 13, 2021 at 9:22 am

        Thank you, Angie!

        Reply

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