Pan Seared Tilapia

Pan Seared Tilapia

flaky and tender

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 5m
Cook Time: 20m
Total Time: 25m
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (15 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

170
calories
8g
fat
2g
carbohydrates
23g
protein
57mg
cholesterol
355mg
sodium
Pan Seared Tilapia

Recipe Description

Looking for a delicious keep-it-simple idea for dinner tonight? Try this easy and tasty Pan Seared Tilapia recipe. Flaky pan-seared fish fillets seasoned with garlic, paprika, basil, salt and pepper, this simple dinner really fits the bill. And it’s all done in 25 minutes or less. 

First, defrost the fish fillets in the fridge overnight and lightly pat them dry with a paper towel before cooking. Season the tilapia on both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried basil. Heat some olive oil in a cast iron skillet and sear the fish fillets on both sides until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the skillet and serve warm with lime wedges for squeezing over the fish. Enjoy!  

To make the Pan Seared Tilapia, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Pan Seared Tilapia

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Season fish fillets

    2 min
    Step 1 - Pan Seared TilapiaStep 1 - Pan Seared Tilapia

    Rub the fish fillets on both sides with ½ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon dried basil.

  2. 2

    Cook fish fillets

    20 min
    Step 2 - Pan Seared TilapiaStep 2 - Pan Seared Tilapia

    In a cast iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat for about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, then add two fillets to the pan. Cook on one side for about 4 minutes, then flip and let cook for another 3-4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining fish fillets and oil.

  3. 3

    Serve

    Step 3 - Pan Seared Tilapia

    Serve warm with rice, a big salad, and some lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish if you wish.

This Pan Seared Tilapia is as delicious as it is economical. Pair these fish fillets with rice, your favorite salsa, or a salad for an easy weeknight dinner. Did you make this recipe? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below to let us know how you liked it and what you paired it with!

About the author

Bethany Lim

Bethany is very passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and clean diet. She’s trying to cut meat out of her diet as much as possible and focuses on cooking vegetarian food and fish. Bethany gets a kick from finding ways to add new twists to classic dishes. What’s more, thanks to her Asian roots, she’s great at combining different cuisines to come up with something extraordinary. Bethany’s recipes will inspire you to add new colors and flavors to your everyday meals.

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (15 reviews)
Ian Miller
December 18, 2024
Verified

Exceptional! I made this for a quick dinner after a long day at work. The fish was so flaky and full of flavor, just like my grandma used to make. Can't believe I whipped it up in under 30 minutes!

Flora
September 28, 2024
Verified

Superb! Made this for a quick dinner, and it was perfect. It reminded me of my family dinners by the lake. Simple, flavorful, and absolutely delish!

Molly
August 12, 2024
Verified

Superb! I made this for my hubby after a long day, and he loved it! The tilapia was so flaky and perfectly spiced. I can’t believe how quick it was to whip up; perfect for our busy weeknight dinners!

Victor Harrington
July 21, 2024
Verified

I made this Pan Seared Tilapia for my family last week. It was so simple and quick. The kids loved it with lime squeezed on top! Perfect for busy evenings when you want something healthy.

Yasmin
July 18, 2024
Verified

Simply yummy dinner!

Quaranta Maria
July 16, 2024
Verified

This Pan Seared Tilapia was a hit! My husband loves fish and we enjoyed a lovely dinner together. Super easy and delish!

Rachel Smith
June 14, 2024
Verified

I tried this recipe for dinner after a long day. It was so simple to make and tasted fantastic! The tilapia turned out flaky and seasoned perfectly. I’m definetly adding this to my go-to meals.

Greg
April 22, 2024
Verified

Superb & easy!

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