Description
Quick and elegant lemon butter fish fillet showcases delicate seafood with bright citrus notes. Mediterranean-inspired flavors deliver simple yet sophisticated meal perfect for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or haddock)
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
Seasoning and Coating:
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
Garnish and Finishing:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (8 grams) fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Thoroughly dry fish fillets using paper towels to ensure a crisp coating and optimal browning.
- Create a seasoned flour mixture by blending flour with salt and black pepper in a shallow dish.
- Delicately coat each fillet in the seasoned flour, gently tapping off excess to prevent clumping.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully place floured fillets into the hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and flaky interior.
- Remove cooked fish from skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt butter, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
- Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, sautéing for 60 seconds until fragrant and releasing its aromatic qualities.
- Pour chicken broth and fresh lemon juice into the skillet, whisking to create a harmonious liquid mixture.
- Allow sauce to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Incorporate lemon zest and chopped parsley, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the sauce.
- Gently return fish fillets to the skillet, carefully coating them with the vibrant lemon butter sauce.
- Plate the fish on a serving platter, adorning with fresh lemon slices and additional parsley for a bright, elegant presentation.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal temperature and texture of the dish.
Notes
- Ensure fish is completely dry before coating to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Choose fresh, high-quality white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia for the best texture and taste in this recipe.
- Adjust cooking time based on fish thickness to prevent overcooking, which can make the fish dry and tough.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch to maintain the crispy coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg