Description
Succulent pan-fried fish with lemon butter sauce offers a delightful culinary journey through delicate flavors and Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Crispy exterior and tender flesh create a perfect harmony you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish:
- 4 fillets white fish (such as cod, halibut, or tilapia)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Pat fish fillets completely dry using paper towels, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
- Season fish uniformly with salt and black pepper, then delicately dust with flour, coating each side evenly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and just before smoking point.
- Carefully place floured fish fillets into hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes on first side until golden brown and crisp edges form.
- Gently flip fish and cook additional 2-3 minutes until fish becomes opaque and flakes easily with fork.
- Remove fish from skillet and transfer to serving platter, keeping warm.
- In same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add butter, allowing it to melt smoothly.
- Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Pour fresh lemon juice into butter mixture, whisking rapidly to create a cohesive sauce.
- Season sauce with salt and black pepper, then sprinkle chopped parsley for vibrant flavor and color.
- Drizzle warm lemon butter sauce directly over cooked fish fillets.
- Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve immediately while fish remains hot and crispy.
Notes
- Ensure fish fillets are completely dry before cooking to achieve a perfect golden-brown crispy exterior that doesn’t steam or become soggy.
- Use a neutral-flavored flour like all-purpose or rice flour for a lighter coating that won’t overpower the delicate fish flavor.
- Select fresh, firm white fish like cod, halibut, or sea bass that holds its shape well during pan-frying and absorbs the lemon butter sauce beautifully.
- Adjust cooking time based on fish thickness, watching for opaque color and easy flaking to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, moist texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg