Introduction

Oh, I have a recipe that’s going to make your weeknights SO much brighter and tastier! Remember those nights when you’re staring into the fridge, wondering what on earth to make for dinner, and you just want something delicious that doesn’t take forever? Well, this Pan-Fried Tilapia with Parsley Lemon Butter is that recipe! It’s like a warm hug on a plate, super quick to whip up, and honestly, it tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. Get ready to impress yourself (and anyone lucky enough to share your meal!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, this is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of meal. Perfect for busy evenings!
Easy: No complicated techniques here, folks. If you can pan-fry and bake, you can absolutely nail this.
Giftable: While you’ll probably eat it all yourself, the Parsley Lemon Butter is so good, you could make a batch and gift it in a cute little jar!
Crowd-pleasing: The delicate tilapia paired with that bright, herby butter is a flavor combination that everyone raves about.

Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather our goodies. This recipe is all about fresh, simple flavors coming together beautifully.

4 (6 oz) tilapia filets: Tilapia is a fantastic choice here because it cooks up so quickly and soaks up flavor like a dream.
½ teaspoon garlic powder: For that subtle, savory warmth.
1 teaspoon coarse salt: Coarse salt gives a nice little pop of texture and flavor.
½ teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground is always best if you have it!
½ teaspoon paprika: This adds a lovely subtle color and a touch of sweetness.
1 teaspoon lemon zest: Zest is where all that amazing lemon fragrance lives. Don’t skip this!
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil: Both are great for getting a nice sear on the fish.
4 tablespoons Parsley Lemon Butter: This is the magic maker! You can use store-bought if you’re really in a pinch, but making it is so worth it. (See below for how to make it!)

For the Parsley Lemon Butter:

4 tablespoons salted butter: Using salted butter adds a nice little flavor boost.
1 tablespoon lemon zest: Yep, more of that wonderful lemon magic!
1 teaspoon lemon juice: Just a touch for that tangy brightness.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped: Fresh parsley makes everything taste so vibrant and clean.

How to Make It

Ready to get cooking? It’s so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how delicious this turns out.

Preheat your oven: First things first, get that oven going to 350°F (175°C). This is important for finishing off the fish perfectly.
Pat the fish dry: This is a crucial step for a good sear! Grab some paper towels and gently pat your tilapia filets really dry on both sides. This helps them get that lovely golden crust.
Mix up the spice rub: In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, coarse salt, black pepper, paprika, and that all-important lemon zest.
Season the tilapia: Sprinkle this beautiful spice mixture evenly over both sides of your dried tilapia filets. Make sure they’re nicely coated!
Heat the skillet: Place a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil or avocado oil. You want it nice and hot but not smoking.
Sear the fish: Carefully lay the seasoned tilapia filets into the hot skillet. Let them sear for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully golden brown. This step builds so much flavor!
Add the butter: Now, toss those glorious tablespoons of Parsley Lemon Butter right into the skillet with the seared fish. Oh, the smell already!
Bake to perfection: Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Let it bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes apart easily when you poke it with a fork. It cooks fast, so keep an eye on it!
Garnish and serve: Once it’s done, pull that skillet out (carefully, it’s hot!). Garnish with some fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley. Serve immediately and watch everyone swoon!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling a little adventurous or need to swap something out? No problem! This recipe is super forgiving.

Different Fish: While tilapia is fantastic, this recipe works wonderfully with other mild white fish like cod, haddock, or even salmon if you’re feeling it. Just adjust the cooking time slightly based on the thickness of the fish.
Herb Swap: Don’t have parsley? Try chives, dill, or even a little bit of fresh thyme in your Parsley Lemon Butter. They’ll all add a delicious touch.
Spice It Up: Want a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your spice rub or to the butter mixture.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss some quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus spears or cherry tomatoes into the skillet during the last few minutes of baking for a complete meal.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make sure your fish comes out absolutely perfect every single time.

Dry Fish is Key: I can’t stress this enough! Patting your fish dry is the secret to getting that lovely golden-brown sear. Wet fish will just steam instead of fry.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: If your skillet isn’t big enough for all four filets without touching, it’s better to sear them in two batches. Crowding the pan will lower the temperature and prevent a good sear.
Prep the Butter Ahead: The Parsley Lemon Butter is super easy to make a day or two in advance. Just mix the ingredients together and store it in the fridge. Let it soften a bit at room temperature before using.
Oven-Safe Skillet: Make sure your skillet is oven-safe! If yours isn’t, you can sear the fish, then transfer it to a baking dish with the butter and finish cooking in the oven.

How to Store It

Leftovers are rare with this dish, but if you happen to have some, here’s how to keep them fresh:

Store any leftover cooked tilapia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. I find it’s best reheated gently in a skillet with a tiny bit of butter or oil, or even in the oven at a low temperature, to help preserve its delicate texture. Microwaving can sometimes make fish a bit rubbery, so use with caution!

FAQs

Got a quick question? Here are some common ones:

Can I make the Parsley Lemon Butter ahead of time? Absolutely! You can mix the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley a day or two in advance and keep it chilled in an airtight container. Just let it soften slightly at room temperature before adding it to the hot skillet.
What can I serve with this tilapia? This dish pairs beautifully with so many things! Roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans, a fresh salad, fluffy rice, or even some crusty bread to sop up that delicious butter sauce are all fantastic choices.
Is tilapia a healthy fish? Yes, tilapia is a good source of lean protein and is relatively low in calories, making it a healthy choice for a balanced diet.

Pan-Fried Tilapia with Lemony Parsley Butter

A quick and easy weeknight meal featuring delicate tilapia filets pan-fried to golden perfection and finished with a bright, flavorful parsley lemon butter sauce. This recipe is designed for speed and simplicity, tasting like it came from a fancy restaurant.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Servings 4 filets

Equipment

oven-safe skillet Ensure your skillet can go into the oven. If not, transfer fish to a baking dish.
paper towels For drying the fish.
Small bowl For mixing the spice rub.
Fork For checking fish doneness.

Ingredients

Tilapia

4 6 oz tilapia filets Tilapia is a fantastic choice here because it cooks up so quickly and soaks up flavor like a dream.
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder For that subtle, savory warmth.
1 teaspoon coarse salt Coarse salt gives a nice little pop of texture and flavor.
0.5 teaspoon black pepper Freshly ground is always best if you have it!
0.5 teaspoon paprika This adds a lovely subtle color and a touch of sweetness.
1 teaspoon lemon zest Zest is where all that amazing lemon fragrance lives. Don't skip this!
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil Both are great for getting a nice sear on the fish.
4 tablespoons Parsley Lemon Butter This is the magic maker! You can use store-bought if you're really in a pinch, but making it is so worth it. (See below for how to make it!)

Parsley Lemon Butter

4 tablespoons salted butter Using salted butter adds a nice little flavor boost.
1 tablespoon lemon zest Yep, more of that wonderful lemon magic!
1 teaspoon lemon juice Just a touch for that tangy brightness.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Fresh parsley makes everything taste so vibrant and clean.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Pat the tilapia filets really dry on both sides with paper towels. This is crucial for a good sear.
4 6 oz tilapia filets
In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic powder, coarse salt, black pepper, paprika, and lemon zest to create the spice rub.
4 6 oz tilapia filets
Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the dried tilapia filets.
4 6 oz tilapia filets
Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil or avocado oil. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
4 6 oz tilapia filets
Carefully lay the seasoned tilapia filets into the hot skillet. Sear for about 2-3 minutes per side, until beautifully golden brown.
4 6 oz tilapia filets
Add the Parsley Lemon Butter to the skillet with the seared fish.
4 6 oz tilapia filets
Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes apart easily with a fork.
Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and extra chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the Parsley Lemon Butter: Mix 4 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Store in the fridge and let it soften before using. Ensure your skillet is oven-safe, or transfer the fish to a baking dish to finish cooking in the oven.