Description
This easy Pan-Fried Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce is a restaurant-quality dish you can make at home in just 20 minutes! The tilapia is tender and flaky, complemented by a rich, tangy lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tilapia:
- 4 tilapia fillets (fresh or thawed)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1/4 cup flour (optional, for crispiness)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter (unsalted)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable stock (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Prep the Tilapia: Pat dry the fillets and season both sides with salt and black pepper. If using, lightly coat each fillet with flour for extra crispiness.
- Heat the Pan: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Cook the Tilapia: Place fillets in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and flaky. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Prepare the Lemon Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to low. In the same pan, melt 4 tbsp butter and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute. Add lemon juice and stock, stirring for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine & Serve: Return the tilapia to the pan, spooning sauce over the fillets. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Avoid overcooking; tilapia is done when it flakes easily.
- Deglaze the pan with stock or white wine to enhance flavor.
- Serve hot for the best texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: ~350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~3g (without flour)
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: ~90mg