Description
This pan fried tilapia delivers perfectly seasoned, golden-crusted fish fillets that are ready in just 15 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner everyone will love. The simple seasoning blend and hot skillet method create restaurant-style results with hardly any effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 tilapia fillets
Coating:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Cooking Fats:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Garnish:
- 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse your tilapia fillets under cold running water, then gently blot them completely dry using paper towels.
- Create a seasoned coating by combining ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon paprika in a shallow dish.
- Delicately coat each fillet in the seasoned flour mixture, carefully tapping off any excess powder to ensure a light, even coverage.
- Place a skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter, allowing the fats to meld and heat for 2 minutes.
- Gently lay the coated fillets into the hot pan, cooking for exactly 3-4 minutes until the bottom develops a golden-brown crust.
- Flip the fillets carefully and cook the opposite side for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked tilapia to serving plates and garnish with fresh lemon slices for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Patting the fish completely dry ensures a crispy, golden exterior that seals in moisture and flavor.
- Choose fresh tilapia fillets with a firm texture and no strong fishy smell for the best results.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond flour or cornmeal to create an equally delicious coating.
- Add extra flavor by mixing herbs like dill or parsley into the flour mixture before dredging the fish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Pan-Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg