Description
A creamy, blackened salmon rice bowl that is beginner-proof and ready in under 30 minutes. This forgiving recipe uses just a few simple ingredients to create a rich, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (approx. 6 oz each / 170g each)
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning (30g)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (30g)
- 1 cup instant rice or quick-cook rice (200g dry)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (120ml)
- 2 oz cream cheese (57g), softened
- 1 lemon, for juice
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with cajun seasoning, pressing spices into the fish. Set aside.
- Cook the rice according to package instructions (e.g., pour boiling water over instant rice and let sit for 5 minutes) or use a rice cooker.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and wait until it foams and turns golden.
- Place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if skin-on. Sear for 3-4 minutes without moving to form a blackened crust.
- Flip salmon and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove salmon to a clean plate; do not clean the pan.
- Reduce heat to low. Pour heavy cream into the pan and stir to scrape up browned bits.
- Add softened cream cheese cubes and whisk constantly until melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Taste sauce and adjust salt if needed. If too thick, add a splash of water; if too thin, simmer for a minute.
- Fluff rice with a fork and divide among four bowls.
- Place a piece of blackened salmon on top of each bowl.
- Drizzle the creamy cajun sauce generously over the fish and rice.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
[‘Pat salmon dry before seasoning to ensure proper searing rather than steaming.’, ‘Cream cheese must be softened to prevent clumping in the sauce.’, ‘Control heat carefully as cajun seasoning contains sugar that burns easily.’, ‘Salmon continues to cook after being removed from heat; remove when just barely opaque.’, ‘This dish does not freeze well due to the cream sauce separating upon thawing.’, ‘Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 3 days.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet and 1 cup r
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: blackened salmon, rice bowls, beginner recipe, creamy salmon, cajun salmon, quick dinner, weeknight meals, 5-ingredient recipe