Crispy Pan Fried Tilapia with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
Deliciously crispy tilapia fillets coated with a flavorful garlic lemon butter sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 fillets tilapia fillets (about 1 pound) Feel free to substitute with other white fish like catfish or snapper.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium lemon (zested and juiced) For added flavor.
- 1 teaspoon salt To taste.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper To taste.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- to garnish Fresh parsley, chopped For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to achieve desired crispiness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Fry the tilapia fillets in the skillet, without overcrowding, for about 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip and fry for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through and flaky.
- Remove the tilapia from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium, add butter and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
- Add lemon juice and zest, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Return the tilapia to the skillet, drizzling the sauce over each fillet.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For freezing, wrap each fillet in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Reheat in the skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes.