Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe
This Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-prepare seafood dish featuring tender tilapia fillets baked in a rich garlic butter sauce infused with herbs and fresh lemon. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, the fish is seasoned with paprika, thyme, and oregano, then roasted to a flaky, moist perfection and garnished with vibrant parsley and lemon slices for a fresh finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Seasonings
- 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
Garnishes
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and season tilapia: 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 fillets in a 9×13 inch baking dish in a single layer.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined. Pour this flavorful sauce evenly over the seasoned tilapia fillets in the baking dish.
- Bake the fish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the tilapia for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and appears tender and cooked through. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on fillet thickness.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the baked tilapia from the oven and garnish with red pepper flakes, freshly chopped parsley, and lemon slices for enhanced flavor and a vibrant presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcook the tilapia to keep it tender and moist; cooking time depends on thickness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to control the level of heat in the garnish.
- Substitute butter with olive oil for a dairy-free alternative.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh green salad.
- For extra flavor, marinate the tilapia in the garlic butter sauce for 15-20 minutes before baking.
Keywords: tilapia recipe, baked tilapia, garlic butter fish, easy seafood dinner, oven baked fish, healthy fish recipe, lemon butter tilapia
