Creamy Marry Me Salmon Recipe

Creamy salmon fillet on fettuccine, garnished with basil and red pepper flakes.

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Creamy Marry Me Salmon Recipe

This marry me salmon features tender, flaky salmon fillets seared to golden perfection and nestled in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh herbs

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Dishes, Seafood

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 729kcal

Author: Kim Schob

Equipment

Ingredients

For the salmon:

4 skinless salmon filets
2 tablespoons avocado oil divided
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

For the cream sauce:

3 tablespoons butter
4-5 cloves garlic minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup sun dried tomatoes drained and chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice + ½ teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for more spice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh chopped parsley and basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Start by patting your salmon fillets completely dry with paper towel, then season both sides generously with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. This ensures the salmon will get that perfect golden brown sear.
Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the seasoned salmon in the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to your desired doneness. The internal temperature should reach 145°F for food safety, but many prefer it slightly less cooked for juicy perfection.
Remove the salmon to a plate and reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze, then add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, creating a rich cream sauce.
Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over each fillet. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to warm the fish through and let the flavors meld together.

Notes

Perfect Sear Secret - Make sure your salmon is completely dry and the pan is properly heated before adding the fish. This creates that restaurant-quality golden crust.
Sauce Consistency - If your sauce gets too thick, thin it with a splash of chicken broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer longer or whisk in extra parmesan cheese.
Pasta Timing - Cook your pasta while preparing the salmon so everything finishes at the same time. Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
Fresh vs. Dried Herbs - While dried Italian seasoning is perfect for the salmon, fresh basil at the end makes all the difference in the final presentation and flavor.
Temperature Control - Keep the heat at medium after searing to prevent the cream sauce from breaking or curdling.

Nutrition