Baked Salmon with Lemon and Chives
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This flavorful baked salmon with lemon and chives is a taste of summer! It’s the perfect healthy and easy dinner recipe to put fresh garden chives to good use.
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: The lemon chive sauce really enhances the salmon, taking it to the next level.
How long it takes: 25 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: sheet pan, small mixing bowl
Servings: 4
Juicy Baked Salmon with Lemon and Herbs
It seems like every time I bring you a salmon recipe, I say it’s our new favorite. I’m not sure whether my recipes are getting better every time or if we just really like cooking fish! I’ve brought you my other lemon salmon (my husband’s fave) and baked salmon with maple mustard glaze. I also have this slow roasted salmon recipe that is meltingly tender and totally fail-proof. Today, I’m bringing one more recipe for the books with this incredible baked salmon with lemon!
Why You’ll Love this Lemon baked salmon Recipe
This baked salmon is Whole30 compliant, paleo, keto, gluten-free, and all that jazz. Whether or not you’re following a particular eating plan or diet, this recipe is just plain good for you. Here are more reasons to love it:
- Simple ingredients. Aside from being absolutely delicious, this recipe is straightforward to make. You’ll need four ingredients if you don’t count olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Fresh summer flavor. There’s just something about the flavor of fresh chopped chives that I can’t get enough of. (If you’ve tried my chive bread recipe, you know what I’m talking about!) This versatile green herb pairs beautifully with the lemon in this baked salmon recipe.
- Perfect for weeknights. Simple, but not lacking in flavor, you’ll want to try this salmon tonight! The lemon chive sauce really takes it to the next level. Plus, the salmon is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make this baked salmon with lemon and chives. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for measurements, instructions, and nutrition information.
- Salmon: For four generously sized servings, you’ll need about a pound and a half of salmon, about 6 oz. per serving. Either skin-on or skinless fillets are fine.
- Lemon: You’ll need the freshly squeezed juice of one lemon.
- Chives: Chives are an allium family herb with a light onion-garlic flavor. The purple blossoms are edible, too, and look beautiful on a salad. Green onions or scallions work fine, too.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch adds a spicy tingle to your palate.
How To Make Baked Salmon with Lemon
This delicious salmon dinner recipe is ready for the table in about 25 minutes. Here’s how to bake salmon in the oven that’s filled with fresh lemon flavor:
- Prep the salmon. While the oven is preheating, season the salmon with salt and pepper. To save time on clean-up, line a small sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
- Bake. Next, bake the salmon at 400ºF until it flakes easily when poked with a fork, about 20 minutes.
- Make the lemon sauce. While the salmon bakes, prepare the sauce. Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, fresh snipped chives, red pepper flakes, and salt. If you’re opposed to spiciness, omit the red pepper flakes and substitute a few grinds of black pepper.
- Serve. When the salmon is cooked and you’re ready to eat, just spoon that delicious sauce over the salmon. I know I’ve said it already, but it’s so good. I really hope you guys try this one.
Tips for Success
I love recipes like this baked salmon with lemon because even if you’re new to cooking fish, they always turn out amazing! Below, I’ve included a few helpful recipe tips:
- Buy filets that are similar in size. Salmon filets that are of similar size and thickness will bake more evenly.
- Check the fish for bones. Salmon has what’s called “pin bones” that are usually removed at the fish counter. That being said, it’s a good idea to check that no stragglers were left! Run your finger down the filet and remove any overlooked bones with a pair of tweezers.
- Check the internal temperature of the salmon with an instant-read thermometer. Salmon is done cooking when it reaches 145ºF at the thickest part of the filet (as recommended by the USFDA). This is the method I typically use because it’s more accurate. I’m head-over-heels in love with my ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4.
FAQs
Salmon that’s done will be easy to flake with a fork at the thickest part of the filet. Alternatively, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 145ºF.
I like to bake salmon at 400ºF. At this temperature, salmon cooks quickly and gets nice coloring. If you’d prefer to bake your salmon at a lower temperature, you’ll need to extend the cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
This salmon entree goes perfectly with a baked potato and sour cream. All you need to do is add a side of crisp sautéed sugar snap peas or Mediterranean green bean salad for a wonderfully amazing meal.
Make It a Salmon sheet pan dinner
Add a few extras to turn this salmon recipe into an entire dinner baked on one sheet pan. Simply toss your veggies in olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting. There are so many ways that you can make it your own:
- Asparagus: My go-to side for salmon! Add the spears to the pan with the salmon in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Potatoes: Give the potatoes a 10-minute head-start before you add the salmon to the pan. If you want to make your potatoes extra crispy, read my guide on how to make crispy roasted potatoes.
- Green Beans: String beans will cook in 10 to 15 minutes so add them halfway through the bake time. And if you love roasted green beans, make sure to check out my recipe for roasted green beans with parmesan and basil.
- Radishes: Have you tried roasted radishes yet? If not, you’re in for a treat. Radishes can go in the oven at the same time as the salmon.
- Try roasted salmon with tomatoes and fennel for a one pan dinner. So good!
- That’s just the beginning but I’m sure you get the idea. Get creative, use your imagination or what you happen to have on hand.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Refrigerate: Cover leftover salmon and refrigerate it separately from the dressing. It will keep for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze: Put the salmon into a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 6 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Cooked salmon can be served cold or warm. Reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power, in 30-second increments. Try not to overheat it.
Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this salmon recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #16. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week!
We’ll be adding a new meal plan weekly. If you’re interested, browse all of our meal plans.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
For salmon:
- 1.5 pounds salmon, cut into 4 fillets (for 6 oz. servings)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
For dressing:
- juice of 1 lemon (about 4 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan or baking dish with parchment for easy clean-up and to prevent fish from sticking.
- Rinse salmon with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Place salmon skin side down on sheet pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork. You can also check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. It should be 145°F.
- Meanwhile, combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Enjoy immediately with dressing drizzled over top of salmon fillets.
Notes
- If desired, you can substitute black pepper for the red pepper flakes in the dressing.
- If fresh chives are not available, substitute green onions or scallions.
- Recipe adapted from Leah Itsines.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Stacy says
This was the first time I ever made salmon and this recipe was easy and so delicious! I also roasted little potatoes and asparagus, as per your suggestion – so good! I’ll definitely be making this again.
Rachel Gurk says
Oh I’m so happy to hear that! I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve made this recipe…it’s one of our favorites. Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
denise says
this sounds divine.
I like salmon cooked to 145 degrees, too.
Rachel Gurk says
I find it’s the perfect temp! I hope you love this salmon recipe!