Pan Seared Scallops with Bacon and Spinach
Elevate your dinner table with this elegant and flavorful Pan Seared Scallops with Bacon and Spinach recipe, a restaurant-worthy dish that's surprisingly easy to make at home. Juicy, golden-crusted sea scallops are perfectly seared and paired with a savory medley of crispy bacon, garlicky sautéed spinach, and a hint of bright lemon butter. Seasoned with a touch of smoked paprika for subtle warmth, this quick and impressive meal comes together in just 25 minutes. Ideal for date nights, dinner parties, or when you simply want to indulge, this dish strikes the perfect balance between smoky, zesty, and fresh flavors. Serve with a side of crusty bread or over creamy risotto for a complete gourmet experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 Sea scallops
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 4 slices Bacon
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 6 cups Baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Butter
Instructions
Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel and remove the side muscle if present. Season both sides of the scallops with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the scallops to the skillet, leaving space between each one. Sear for 2-3 minutes on the first side without moving them, until a golden crust forms.
Flip the scallops and sear for an additional 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the bacon slices and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel to drain. Once cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
Discard most of the bacon grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook, tossing frequently, until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and butter until melted and well combined.
Turn off the heat and stir the crumbled bacon into the spinach mixture.
Serve the bacon-spinach mixture on plates and top with the seared scallops. Optionally garnish with additional lemon wedges or fresh herbs.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
420 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.1 g | 18% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.2 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 127 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 2400 mg | 104% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.6 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | ||
| Protein | 60.8 g | 122% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 86 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 858 mg | 18% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
