Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard (Printer-friendly)

Crispy-skinned salmon with garlicky Swiss chard, ready in just 22 minutes for a nutritious, delicious meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fish

01 - 2 salmon fillets, skin-on, 5-6 oz each
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 large bunch Swiss chard, about 8 oz, stems trimmed and leaves roughly chopped
08 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
09 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
10 - ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
11 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season the flesh side with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
02 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
03 - Place salmon fillets skin-side up in air fryer basket. Cook for 7-9 minutes until skin is crispy and flesh flakes easily with a fork. Remove and rest for 2 minutes.
04 - While salmon cooks, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add Swiss chard to skillet and toss with garlic. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until just wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
06 - Arrange sautéed Swiss chard on plate, top with crispy-skinned salmon, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The salmon skin crisps up better than most restaurant versions, no flipping required.
  • Dinner is ready in under 25 minutes with minimal cleanup and zero fishy smell lingering in your kitchen.
  • Swiss chard adds color, nutrients, and a slight earthiness that balances the richness of the salmon beautifully.
02 -
  • Drying the salmon thoroughly before oiling is the single most important step for crispy skin, I skipped it once and ended up with rubber.
  • Don't walk away during the garlic sauté, it goes from fragrant to burnt in seconds and will ruin the whole dish.
  • Let the salmon rest for 2 minutes after air frying so the juices redistribute and it doesn't fall apart when you plate it.
03 -
  • If your fillets are thicker than an inch, add an extra minute or two to the air fryer time and check with a fork for easy flaking.
  • Line the air fryer basket with parchment designed for high heat to make cleanup even easier and prevent any sticking.
  • Season the chard while it's still in the pan so the salt draws out just a bit of moisture and concentrates the flavor.
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