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–+ servings

California-Style Lemon Butter Baked Tilapia

A quick and easy baked tilapia recipe with a luscious lemon butter sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner, Quick Meals, Seafood
Cuisine: American
Calories: 245
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 fillets tilapia
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice from a Meyer lemon if available
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Meyer lemon sliced into rounds
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Arrange the tilapia fillets in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Season them evenly with the salt, paprika, and black pepper.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the fish, then tuck the lemon slices both under and on top of the fillets.
  4. Bake the tilapia for 11 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the fish is flaky and lightly browned on top.
  5. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 35gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 420mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

Substitute regular lemons if Meyer lemons are unavailable. For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter alternative. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Avoid overcooking by checking for flakiness at the thickest part. Serve with steamed rice or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.

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