Description
Crispy, golden pan-fried tilapia meets a rich, buttery, and citrusy lemon butter sauce in this elegant yet easy dish. This quick and flavorful recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, delivering a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. Serve with rice, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad for a light yet satisfying meal!
Ingredients
For the Tilapia:
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz each)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (optional, for extra crispiness)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or white wine)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Tilapia:
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel.
- Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Lightly coat in flour (optional) for extra crispiness.
Pan-Fry the Tilapia:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add tilapia fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F / 63°C).
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in lemon juice and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Stir in red pepper flakes (if using) and fresh parsley.
Assemble & Serve:
- Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the pan-fried tilapia.
- Garnish with extra parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- For Extra Crispiness: Dredge the fillets lightly in flour before pan-frying.
- Make It Spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Pairing Ideas: Serve with garlic butter rice, roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
- Storage:
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American