Description

A simple and delicious pan-fried white fish recipe served with a vibrant lemon butter sauce. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to golden perfection, this dish combines the light, flaky texture of tilapia or cod with the bright flavors of lemon, garlic, and fresh parsley for an elegant yet easy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish Fillets

4 fillets white fish (such as tilapia or cod), about 6 ounces each
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)

Cooking and Sauce

4 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 lemon, juiced
1 lemon, zested
2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Season the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry using paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
Dredge in Flour: Lightly coat each fish fillet by dredging it in all-purpose flour. Shake off any excess flour to avoid clumping and ensure a light crust.
Heat the Pan: In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, to create a hot surface for frying.
Cook the Fish: Place the fillets carefully into the pan, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. Fry each side for 3-4 minutes or until the fish is golden brown, opaque, and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the cooked fillets and keep warm under loose foil.
Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same pan. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, allowing the flavors to meld without burning the garlic.
Serve: Spoon the warm lemon butter sauce generously over the fish fillets for a tangy, buttery finish.
Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top for a fresh, colorful touch. Serve immediately for best taste.

Notes

Patting the fish dry before seasoning ensures a nice crispy crust when frying.
Dredging in flour helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown surface and prevents sticking.
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like olive oil or canola oil for frying.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice and zest to suit your taste preference for acidity and brightness.
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Cook fish fillets just until opaque to avoid drying them out.
Serving with steamed vegetables or a light salad complements this dish well.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fish fillet with sauce (approx. 6 oz)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 480 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: pan-fried fish, lemon butter sauce, tilapia recipe, cod recipe, quick fish dinner, easy seafood recipe, healthy fish dish