20 Minute Creamy Salmon Piccata Recipe

This creamy salmon piccata recipe is fast and totally delicious! All you need is 20 minutes to make this tender salmon in a lemon caper cream sauce.

If you’re looking for an easy and elegant meal, here it is. This lemon salmon piccata is excellent for a weeknight dinner but also good enough for company.

I find that people really love salmon in creamy sauces. My creamy garlic salmon pasta is one of the most popular recipes on my blog. I will keep the creamy salmon pasta recipes coming as long as there’s demand for them. 🙂

What is piccata sauce?

It’s typically meat or fish that’s sautéed in a sauce that has lemon, butter and spices. You will usually see capers in Italian-American versions e.g. chicken piccata. Most piccata sauces either use chicken broth/stock or white wine. Garlic also usually makes an appearance. I made a shrimp piccata recipe a while back if you’re interested.

Using flour to coat the salmon helps thicken the sauce up quickly without overcooking the fish.

How to make creamy salmon piccata

Season the salmon and dredge each piece in flour on all sides. Sauté the salmon in butter and oil for 3-4 min./side then take it out of the pan.

Deglaze the pan with the chicken broth or white wine, lemon juice + zest, and capers. Cook for a minute or two.

Stir in the cream and let it thicken, then add the fish back to the pan and cook until salmon is ready. Season as needed. This creamy lemon butter sauce for salmon is delectable!

What to serve with salmon piccata

Pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes work very well. I love serving corn with creamy sauces as well. I also like to serve a simple salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette dressing with creamy dishes – it brightens the whole meal.

If you want this to be a true 20 minute complete meal, I suggest making it with pasta. Start boiling the water for the pasta before you start making the fish, and everything will be ready around the same time.

Will you make this salmon piccata with a creamy lemon sauce?

Questions? Ask me in the comments below.

5 from 2 votes

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Creamy Salmon Piccata

This creamy salmon piccata recipe is fast and totally delicious! All you need is 20 minutes to make this tender salmon in a lemon caper cream sauce.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian American

Keyword salmon piccata

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh salmon cut into 4 pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Flour for dredging
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon (or more) brined capers drained
• 1  cup heavy/whipping cream 

Instructions

1. Cut your salmon into 4 pieces. Sprinkle it with the garlic powder and season it generously with salt & pepper. Dredge each piece in flour on all sides.
2. Add the butter and oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the fish. Cook it for 3-4 minutes/side or until it's browned. Be sure not to overcook the fish; it shouldn't be cooked fully yet. Remove salmon to a plate and set aside.
3. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice/zest, and capers. Let it simmer for a minute or two.
4. Add the cream to the skillet. Let it bubble for 2 minutes or so to thicken the sauce up a bit.
5. And the salmon back into the pan. Cook for a few more minutes (you may want to turn the heat down) until it's cooked through and it flakes easily with a fork. 
6. Season with extra salt & pepper as needed. Serve immediately. 

Recipe Notes

• This is the lemon zester I use and recommend for this recipe. 

You may also like my creamy Tuscan salmon recipe or my creamy lemon salmon.