Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard (Printable Version)

Crispy-skinned salmon with tender, garlicky Swiss chard. A healthy, flavorful meal ready in 22 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 2 salmon fillets (5-6 oz each, skin-on)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 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 - 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
11 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season flesh side with salt, 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 crisp 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 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The air fryer gives you restaurant-quality crispy skin without any flipping or fuss.
  • Everything cooks in under 15 minutes, so you can have a complete, elegant meal on a weeknight.
  • The garlicky Swiss chard adds earthy flavor and soaks up the salmon juices beautifully.
  • It feels indulgent but fits perfectly into low-carb and gluten-free diets.
02 -
  • Drying the salmon thoroughly is the secret to crispy skin, moisture is the enemy here.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or the fillets will steam instead of roast.
  • If your chard has thick stems, chop them finely and add them to the pan 1 minute before the leaves so they soften properly.
03 -
  • Let the salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking the salmon at 6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
  • Save any leftover lemon wedges to squeeze over the chard while it's still in the pan for extra brightness.
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