Description
A quick and flaky oven-baked tilapia recipe with garlic butter and a citrus kick, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Drizzle both sides lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, paprika, and Parmesan. Simmer for 30–60 seconds.
- Spoon or pour the garlic-butter sauce evenly over the fillets.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until the fish flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Remove and finish with an extra squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Butter can be replaced with ghee or a mix of butter and olive oil. Dried parsley can be used if fresh isn’t available.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American