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Delicious garlic butter oven baked tilapia served on a plate

Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia

A comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring flaky tilapia fillets coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, brightened with lemon and fresh herbs.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Tilapia

  • 4 pieces tilapia fillets (fresh or frozen, thawed) One average tilapia fillet is often enough for one adult serving.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil Drizzle over the fillets to help seasonings stick.
  • Salt To taste.
  • Pepper To taste.

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Use unsalted butter for better control over seasoning.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic is ideal to maximize flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Fresh juice is preferred.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest Add zest for extra brightness.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped Enhances fresh flavor.
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (optional) For color and mild heat.
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Adds umami and creaminess.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and drizzle with olive oil. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then arrange on a baking sheet.
  • Tip: If the fillets have uneven thickness, fold thinner ends under or pound to even for uniform cooking.

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, avoiding browning.
  • Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, paprika, and Parmesan. Let simmer for a minute.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  • Tip: For extra herb flavor, stir in fresh dill or chives at the end.

Bake the Tilapia

  • Pour garlic butter sauce over the tilapia fillets, ensuring even coating.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until fish flakes easily and is cooked through.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon before serving.

Notes

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. For best quality, consume within 1 month if frozen. For extra flavor variations, consider adding olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or herbs as desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 26gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 300mg
Keyword Easy Dinner, Fish Recipe, Garlic Butter, Oven Baked, Tilapia
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