18 minutes
Crispy salmon fillets served with a zesty chipotle-lime aioli, perfect for a flavorful and quick dinner.
Minced Garlic, minced
cloves
Chopped Chipotle Pepper In Adobo Sauce, chopped
tablespoons
Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
tablespoons
Jarred Roasted Red Peppers, seeded and chopped
cups
cups
to taste
to taste
Boneless, Skinless, Center-Cut Salmon Fillets
0 oz
Good Olive Oil
to taste
Lime, quartered
each
1. Preheat Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. This ensures it's ready for the salmon when you need it.
2. Prepare Aioli
Next, prepare the aioli. Chop the garlic and chipotle pepper to a coarse paste, then purée them with the lime juice and roasted red peppers in a food processor. Add the mayonnaise, along with a pinch of kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This thorough blending helps the flavors meld perfectly, creating a delicious, well-integrated sauce.
3. Heat Skillet
Now, heat a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over high heat for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial because a properly heated skillet ensures a good sear on the salmon, locking in moisture and creating a beautiful crust.
4. Prepare Salmon Fillets
While the skillet is heating, prepare the salmon fillets. Pat them dry with paper towels, rub them with olive oil, and sprinkle generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drying the salmon well and seasoning it right before cooking helps achieve that crispy exterior.
5. Sear Salmon
Place the salmon fillets rounded side down into the hot skillet and cook without moving them for exactly 2 minutes. This initial searing is what gives the salmon its golden-brown crust. After 2 minutes, flip the fillets rounded side up and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Roast the salmon for 3 to 4 minutes if you prefer a rare center.
6. Rest Salmon
Once the salmon is done roasting, remove the skillet from the oven and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Let the salmon rest for 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare, or 5 minutes if you prefer it medium. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the fillets, ensuring they are moist and flavorful.
7. Serve
Finally, serve the salmon hot, accompanied by the zesty chipotle-lime aioli and a wedge of lime for an extra burst of freshness. Enjoy your perfectly cooked salmon with its crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior.
Source the freshest salmon you can find, with a bright color, firm texture, and a clean oceanic smell. Opt for wild-caught salmon for a richer flavor and firmer texture.
Use skin-on fillets for added crispiness, which acts as an insulator and provides textural contrast.
After achieving crispy skin, lower the heat to cook the salmon through without burning. Use a thermometer to check for doneness.
Thoroughly pat the salmon dry with paper towels before cooking to achieve crispy skin.
Use real mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, and zest for the chipotle-lime aioli, and finely mince or puree the chipotle for a smooth consistency.
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