Air Fryer Rockfish with Lemon-Basil Orzo
Tender air-fried Wild Alaska rockfish gets paired with a rich and silky lemon-basil orzo for a fresh, comforting dinner that feels a little elevated without much effort. The fish stays light and flaky with a simple seasoning blend, while the creamy orzo brings brightness from lemon and fresh basil.
Air Fryer Wild Alaska Rockfish with Lemon-Basil Orzo
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- For the lemon basil orzo:
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 ⅓ cups orzo
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Handful torn fresh basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the rockfish:
- 6 Wild Alaska rockfish fillets (about 7 ounces each)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, or a large pinch per filet
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- For the breading:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Cook aromatics: Melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the dry orzo and toast lightly for 2–3 minutes.
- Simmer the orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 8–10 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the Parmesan, heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice until creamy and smooth. Fold in the torn basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
- Season the fish: Pat the rockfish fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Drizzle the fish with olive oil, then season all over with all of the seasoning mixture. Let this sit for up to 30-minutes to season.
- Air fry the fish: Arrange half of the fillets in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between each piece. Air fry at 400°F for 7–9 minutes, depending on thickness, until the fish flakes easily and reaches 140°F–145°F internally. Repeat with remaining fillets.
- Plate and serve: Spoon the creamy lemon-basil orzo onto plates or shallow bowls and top with the warm rockfish fillets. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and garnish with basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
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