Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe
This Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-make fish dish perfect for a quick dinner. Tender tilapia fillets are seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, then baked in a luscious garlic butter sauce with bright lemon notes. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices, this dish is a healthy, delicious option that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Fish and Seasoning
- 4 tilapia fillets
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
Garnish
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Preheat Oven and Season Fish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the tilapia fillets evenly with salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Arrange the seasoned fish fillets in a 9×13-inch baking dish in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined. This mixture will infuse the fish with bright, savory flavors.
- Bake Tilapia: Pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the tilapia fillets in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The fish is done when it easily flakes with a fork and appears opaque and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the tilapia from the oven, garnish with red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, and lemon slices for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful garlic butter baked tilapia.
Notes
- You can substitute tilapia with other mild white fish such as cod or haddock if preferred.
- Ensure not to overcook the fish to maintain its tender texture.
- For extra zest, add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the garlic butter sauce before baking.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a balanced meal.
Keywords: tilapia, garlic butter, baked fish, easy dinner, healthy fish recipe, oven baked tilapia, lemon garlic fish, quick seafood