Description
Garlic Butter Oven-Baked Tilapia is a simple and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender tilapia fillets baked in a rich garlic butter sauce with lemon and herbs. It’s a quick, healthy dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 4 oz each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon slices, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, and thyme.
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Arrange fillets in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the fish.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed tilapia fillets for the best texture.
- Do not overbake — tilapia cooks quickly and can become dry.
- Substitute tilapia with cod, haddock, or other white fish if desired.
- Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or a green salad.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
