Description
A quick and flavorful dinner featuring tender tilapia fillets baked in a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 5 oz each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with nonstick spray or a small amount of butter.
- Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, dried parsley, and paprika.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the tilapia fillets, making sure each fillet is well coated.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges and garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- If you accidentally overcook the fish, it gets a bit dry but still tastes great doused in the garlic butter.
- It is almost better the next day if you have leftovers.
- Lining the dish with foil is not necessary; less waste and more flavor stuck to the pan sides.
- Do not skimp on the garlic; if in doubt, add one more clove.
- Do not try to bake the fish straight from frozen; it results in a soggy outside and icy middle.
- Seasoning both sides of the tilapia works better for flavor.
- Letting the fish rest for a couple of minutes after baking allows the juice to soak in more and prevents it from falling apart when served.
- If you forget to thaw frozen tilapia, place the fillets in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes.
- Tilapia is a very mild fish. If it smells unusual, it might not be fresh.
- For a dairy-free option, swap butter for olive oil or a plant-based butter.
- If you don’t have a zester, use the fine side of a box grater or scrape with a paring knife.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner, Main Dishes
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 calories
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 0mg