Description
A quick and elegant dish featuring tender white fish fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and smothered in a silky, tangy lemon butter sauce with fragrant herbs and garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this healthy and customizable recipe delivers bright, fresh flavors reminiscent of sunshine in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 fillets of white fish (such as cod, tilapia, or haddock)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sauce)
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the fish fillets, drizzle with olive oil, and rub to coat thoroughly.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the fish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side until golden.
- Gently flip the fillets and cook for another 2-4 minutes on the second side until opaque and flaking easily. Remove fish to a warm plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, add butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once butter melts, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in lemon juice and zest, stirring to combine and deglaze pan. Simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return fish to the pan or plate individually and spoon the lemon butter sauce over each fillet. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pat the fillets dry to ensure a crispy, golden sear
- Do not overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if necessary
- Control the heat – start high for searing, then lower for the sauce
- Use fresh lemons for maximum flavor
- Let fish rest briefly before adding sauce
- For variation, add a splash of white wine to the sauce or stir in grated Parmesan before serving
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
- Reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water or broth
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: fish fillet, lemon butter, zesty, easy dinner, quick meal, healthy, gluten-free, seafood, pan-seared fish