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Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia

Four fillets of Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia sizzling in a bright yellow lemon garlic butter sauce, topped with fresh parsley.
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A fast recipe for pan-seared tilapia coated in a bright, savory lemon garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Place the tilapia fillets in the hot skillet. Sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the fish and set aside on a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same skillet. Let it melt.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  6. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the chopped parsley.
  8. Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce evenly over the cooked tilapia fillets. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • To keep the fish moist, avoid overcooking. Tilapia cooks quickly, usually in 6 to 8 minutes total.
  • For a richer sauce, use brown butter by cooking the butter until the milk solids turn golden brown before adding the garlic.
  • Pair this dish with steamed asparagus or rice pilaf.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/lemon-garlic-butter-tilapia/