Cisco Kid's Smoked Salmon Skillet
A elegant skillet dish featuring smoked salmon, creamy dill sauce, and roasted asparagus, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This seafood-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs smoked salmon, olive oil, asparagus for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz asparagus
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup capers
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz trimmed and cut asparagus and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp and slightly browned at the edges. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet. Add 4 oz smoked salmon (cut into 1-inch pieces) and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through and flaking slightly, then transfer to the plate with asparagus.
- Step 3: To the skillet, add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp fresh dill, 1/2 tsp lemon zest, and 1/4 cup capers. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Return 12 oz asparagus and 4 oz smoked salmon to the skillet, along with 1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes. Gently toss to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cisco Kid's Smoked Salmon Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cisco Kid's Smoked Salmon Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked salmon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cisco Kid's Smoked Salmon Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cisco Kid's Smoked Salmon Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cisco Kid's Smoked Salmon Skillet?
Seafood seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
