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Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon and Shrimp Skillet with fresh herbs and lemon slices in a stainless steel pan.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon and Shrimp Skillet

A 30-minute, restaurant-quality Mediterranean meal featuring pan-seared salmon fillets and juicy jumbo shrimp in a silky lemon garlic cream sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Seafood Base:
  • - 2 large salmon fillets skinless or skin-on based on preference
  • - 3/4 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • - 1/2 tsp paprika
  • - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • - 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce:
  • - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • - 5 cloves garlic finely minced
  • - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • - 1 cup heavy cream or light cream
  • - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • - 1 fresh lemon half sliced into wheels and half for juice
  • - 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning or dried dill
  • - 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped

Method
 

Prep & Season Seafood:
  1. Pat salmon fillets and shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. Mix paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning evenly over both sides of the salmon and shrimp.
Sear Salmon:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to desired doneness. Remove salmon and set aside on a plate.
Flash-Sear Shrimp:
  1. In the same skillet, add seasoned shrimp. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to the plate with the salmon.
Sauté Aromatics & Deglaze:
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the skillet. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken/vegetable broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits on the pan bottom with a wooden spoon. Let liquid simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
Create Cream Sauce:
  1. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens into a velvety consistency.
Re-nest & Serve:
  1. Return cooked salmon and shrimp to the skillet, spooning cream sauce over top. Arrange fresh lemon slices around the pan. Simmer on low for 1 to 2 minutes until warm. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra black pepper before serving.

Notes

- Always keep heat low when adding heavy cream and lemon juice to prevent curdling.
- Do not overcook shrimp; remove as soon as they curl into a loose C-shape.