Name: Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia Recipe
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 tilapia fillets; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 4 tablespoons butter, melted; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; ¼ teaspoon lemon zest; 1 lemon, sliced into rounds; Red pepper flakes, for garnish; Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Description

This Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia is a quick and flavorful seafood dish perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Tender tilapia fillets are seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, then baked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of zest and savory richness in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Fish and Seasoning

4 tilapia fillets
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano

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

Instructions

Preheat and season: 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 fish fillets in a single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Prepare garlic butter sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined. Pour this flavorful garlic butter sauce evenly over the arranged tilapia fillets in the baking dish, ensuring each piece is coated.
Bake the fish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The tilapia is done when it flakes easily with a fork and has turned opaque throughout, indicating it is fork-tender and fully cooked.
Garnish and serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish the tilapia with red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, and lemon slices for a burst of color and extra zest. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Tilapia fillets cook quickly; keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Use unsalted butter if you want better control over the saltiness of the dish.
You can substitute tilapia with other mild white fish fillets like cod or haddock.
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.