Pan Fried Tilapia with Lemon Butter
Pan Fried Tilapia with Lemon Butter is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s perfect for spring and summer evenings! Simple, natural, and inexpensive ingredients like lemon zest and avocado oil create the best flavor and consistency with the pan fried fish, and the lemon butter with parsley elevates it to another level of delicious.
Pan Fried Tilapia
It’s never really spring/summer in my kitchen until I start making freshly flavored fish recipes! And boy, is this pan fried tilapia fresh as can be. The fish fillets are seasoned with bright ingredients like fresh lemon zest and a medley of savory seasonings that really bring out the natural, subtle flavor of the fish in a great way. Plus, when you pan fry tilapia, you get the best little slightly charred bits on it that add to the flavor too!
As delicious as the pan fried tilapia is by itself, the parsley lemon butter sends it right over the top. Salted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and freshly chopped parsley mix together to create the most mouthwatering, yet simple combination of fresh flavors. I keep using that word “fresh,” but there’s really no better way to describe this summertime recipe staple. It’s got all natural bright flavors that are perfect for enjoying after a day in the sun.
While this dish is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner with the family, it also doubles as a date night at home option or as a dinner party entree! It may be wonderfully easy to make with simple ingredients, but it’s also quite the crowd-pleasing main course. I don’t know about you, but I really appreciate recipes that aren’t full of frills, but still impress my guests. It’s the best of both worlds!
How to Make Tilapia
You can make this easy dinner in your skillet or in the air fryer!
- Prepare the parsley lemon butter. Mix all the ingredients in a food processor. Reshape into a cylinder. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to harden.
- Pat dry. Pat tilapia dry with a paper towel.
- Prepare the tilapia. Mix garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, lemon zest in a bowl. Rub tilapia fillets with oil. Rub seasoning mix onto all sides of tilapia.
- Heat. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the fillets. Add the tilapia fillets. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges turn white (opaque). Turn your fillets over and finish cooking the other side for 2-3 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily and internal temperature is 140°F.
Enjoy! Turn off heat. Add 1 tablespoon of Parsley Lemon Butter to the top of each filet.
How to make tilapia in the air fryer:
- Prepare. Prepare tilapia as in skillet instructions.
- Air fry. Cook at 400°F for 4 minutes on each side in the air fryer.
- Check the fish. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure the fish reached 140°F. 4. Remove from the air fryer.
- Enjoy! Add 1 tablespoon of lemon parsley butter to the top of each filet. Serve.
Cooking Notes
- Cooking time varies depending on the temperature of the pan, the thickness of the fish, and the internal temperature of the fish when you start cooking it.
- For spicier tilapia, add a pinch or two of chili pepper to the rub.
- Serve this easy to make fish entree with Buttered Noodles, a Crispy Oven Baked Potato, Grilled Asparagus in Foil, or a fresh salad of your choice!
- For both presentation value and extra flavor, I highly recommend garnishing your final product with lemon slices and freshly chopped parsley.
Enjoy more of my favorite fish recipes throughout the sunny season!
- Tuna Poke Bowl
- Grilled Pesto Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa
- Easy Cod Fish Tacos
- Pan Seared Halibut with Brown Butter Garlic Sauce
If you’re looking for more easy seafood ideas like this parmesan tilapia, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
Get the Recipe: Pan Fried Tilapia Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 6- oz tilapia filets
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 4 tablespoon Parsley Lemon Butter or your favorite flavored butter.
Parsley Lemon Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Garnish
- Lemon slices
- Fresh chopped parsley
Equipment
- skillet
Instructions
Skillet Instructions:
- Prepare parsley lemon butter. Mix all the ingredients in a food processor. Reshape into a cylinder. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to harden.
- Pat tilapia dry with a paper towel.
- Mix garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, lemon zest in a bowl.
- Rub tilapia filets with oil.
- Rub seasoning mix onto all sides of tilapia.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the tilapia filets. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges turn white (opaque). Turn your filets over and finish cooking the other side for 2-3 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily and internal temperature is 140°F,
- Turn off heat. Add 1 tablespoon of Parsley Lemon Butter to the top of each filet.
- Remove from the pan and serve with lemon slices and fresh parsley.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Prepare tilapia as in skillet instructions.
- Cook at 400°F for 4 minutes on each side in the air fryer.
- Use an instant read thermometer to make sure the fish reached 140°F. 4. Remove from the air fryer. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon parsley butter to the top of each filet. Serve.