Description
Crispy golden pan-fried tilapia dances with zesty lemon and herb flavors, bringing Mediterranean charm to your dinner table. Delicate fish fillets offer a quick, elegant meal that delights palates with simple, fresh ingredients you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 1 ½ pounds or 680 grams)
Coating and Seasoning:
- ½ cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for extra flavor)
Garnish and Serving:
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Meticulously blot tilapia fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture, creating an ideal surface for seasoning and coating.
- Craft a flavor-packed seasoning blend by combining flour with garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
- Carefully dredge each fillet in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring a complete and even coverage while gently shaking off any surplus coating.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, optionally introducing a touch of butter to enhance the depth of flavor and prevent sticking.
- Gently lower the coated fillets into the heated skillet, maintaining enough space between them to prevent steaming and promote crisp browning.
- Allow each side to transform into a golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, watching for the telltale signs of perfect doneness: flaky texture and a crisp exterior.
- Delicately transfer the perfectly cooked tilapia to a serving platter, adorning with fresh parsley and accompanying lemon wedges to brighten the dish’s flavor profile.
Notes
- Pat fish completely dry to ensure a crispy, golden coating that sticks perfectly without excess moisture.
- Use a mix of flour and cornmeal for extra crunch and a delightful textural contrast in each bite.
- Opt for a cast-iron skillet to achieve an evenly heated surface and create a beautiful golden-brown crust on the tilapia.
- Customize the seasoning blend by adding herbs like dill or thyme for a personalized flavor profile that complements the mild fish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg