This recipe features tender, flaky white fish fillets topped with a luscious lemon butter sauce, delivering a burst of zesty, savory flavors. Perfect for a quick and elegant dinner, this dish pairs well with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
For the Fish:
- 4 white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or haddock)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- Lemon slices
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Preparing the Fish:
- Season the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook the Fish: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish fillets and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. Preparing the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add Lemon and Seasoning: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes.
3. Serving the Dish:
- Plate the Fish: Place the cooked fish fillets on a serving platter.
- Pour the Sauce: Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the fish fillets.
- Garnish: Garnish with lemon slices and additional chopped parsley.
Helpful Tips
- Fish Selection: Use fresh, firm fish fillets for the best results. Frozen fish should be thawed and patted dry.
- Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth to thin it out.
- Adjusting Acidity: For a milder lemon flavor, reduce the amount of lemon juice.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over a bed of rice, pasta, or with a side of steamed vegetables.
- Pair with a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, for a complete meal.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of fish?
Yes, you can use any white fish like tilapia, haddock, or even salmon. - Can I make this dish ahead of time?
The fish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and reheat it when needed. - What if I don’t have fresh lemons?
You can use bottled lemon juice, but fresh lemons are recommended for the best flavor.
Serving Size
- Serves 4
Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Recipe Card
Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet
This recipe features tender, flaky white fish fillets topped with a luscious lemon butter sauce, delivering a burst of zesty, savory flavors. Perfect for a quick and elegant dinner, this dish pairs well with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
For the Fish:
- – 4 white fish fillets such as cod, tilapia, or haddock
- – 2 tablespoons olive oil
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – 1 teaspoon paprika
- – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- – 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- – 4 tablespoons butter
- – 2 tablespoons olive oil
- – 4 cloves garlic minced
- – Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- – 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- – Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish:
- – Lemon slices
- – Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
1. Preparing the Fish:
- – **Season the Fish:** Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- – **Cook the Fish:** Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish fillets and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. Preparing the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- – **Make the Sauce:** In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- – **Add Lemon and Seasoning:** Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes.
3. Serving the Dish:
- – **Plate the Fish:** Place the cooked fish fillets on a serving platter.
- – **Pour the Sauce:** Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the fish fillets.
- – **Garnish:** Garnish with lemon slices and additional chopped parsley.