Description
Homemade pan fried tilapia with lemon cream sauce brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables. Rich white fish combines with zesty sauce, offering delicate layers of comfort and sophistication that promise restaurant-quality meals at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tilapia fillets (skinless)
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat a skillet over medium flame, creating an ideal cooking surface for tilapia fillets.
- Fat Integration: Combine olive oil and butter in the skillet, forming a rich, flavorful cooking base.
- Tilapia Seasoning: Generously coat tilapia fillets with salt and pepper on both sides, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
- Cooking Tilapia: Place seasoned fillets into the hot skillet, searing for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden exterior and translucent, flaky interior.
- Sauce Foundation: Without cleaning the skillet, melt a fresh butter pat over medium-high heat, then quickly sauté minced garlic to release its aromatic profile.
- Liquid Reduction: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, whisking continuously and allowing the liquid to simmer and concentrate its essence by approximately one-third.
- Cream Incorporation: Reduce heat to medium-low, gradually introduce heavy cream and remaining butter, whisking constantly to develop a silky, smooth sauce texture.
- Flavor Balancing: Carefully add freshly squeezed lemon juice, stirring to prevent curdling, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to achieve a harmonious taste profile.
- Final Assembly: Either drizzle the lemon cream sauce over the tilapia or gently return the fish to the skillet to ensure complete coating.
- Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately, maintaining the sauce’s luxurious warmth and vibrant character.
Notes
- Prevent Sauce Curdling: Pour cream slowly and whisk continuously to maintain smooth, silky texture without separation.
- Achieve Perfect Fish Doneness: Cook tilapia for exactly 3 minutes per side to ensure golden crust and flaky interior without overcooking.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Use fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice for maximum aromatic and bright taste profiles.
- Skillet Selection Matters: Choose a non-stick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to prevent fish from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 392
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg