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A baking dish with garlic butter tilapia filets and lemon garnish.
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Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia

Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia is fresh, flavorful, and ready in a flash. You can easily prepare garlic butter tilapia in oven in about 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for weeknights and busy families. This easy baked tilapia recipe combines tender white fish with lemon, garlic and butter for a succulent dinner the whole family will love.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 tilapia fillets
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 lemon sliced into rounds
  • Chopped parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Pat dry the tilapia fillet with a kitchen towel and keep it aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Mix to combine.
  • Arrange the lemon slices in a 9X13 baking dish and place the tilapia fillet on top.
  • Pour the prepared garlic butter over the fillet and bake the tilapia for 10-15 minutes until they are cooked and look opaque.
  • Arrange the tilapia on a serving plate, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with lemon slices.

Notes

  • Look for filets that are similar in size and thickness for even cooking. 
  • Use cod or halibut if you can’t find tilapia.
  • Most tilapia is sold without the skin, but it can be bitter, so be sure to remove it if it is included. 
  • If one end of the filet is much thinner than the other, you can fold it under to help the fish cook more evenly. 
  • Thoroughly dry the tilapia with paper towels before placing it in the baking dish. 
  • Fish cooks quickly, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking. 
  • Fish should flake easily and be opaque in color when it is done. 
  • Fish should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 145 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer. 
  • Want a golden crust? Broil the fish for 1-2 minutes at the end of the cooking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 386mg | Potassium: 585mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 678IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg