Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe
This Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy a healthy fish dinner. Tender tilapia fillets are seasoned with a blend of spices, drenched in a zesty garlic butter sauce, and baked to perfection until flaky and delicious. Garnished with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and lemon slices, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome.
- 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
Garnish
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- 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 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, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined. This mixture will infuse the fish with rich buttery garlic flavor balanced by bright citrus notes.
- Coat and Bake: Pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the tilapia fillets in the baking dish, ensuring each piece is well coated. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through, tender, and moist.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the tilapia with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice, chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness, as well as additional lemon slices to enhance the citrus aroma. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Tilapia cooks quickly, so watch closely to prevent overcooking which can dry out the fillets.
- You can substitute fresh herbs like thyme and oregano if dried are not available.
- Adjust garlic quantity to taste depending on your preference for garlic intensity.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
- To make this recipe gluten free, ensure all spices are certified gluten free.
Keywords: tilapia recipe, baked tilapia, garlic butter fish, easy fish dinner, oven baked fish, healthy tilapia recipe, lemon garlic tilapia, quick seafood dinner
