Baked Tilapia Recipe with Lemon Garlic Butter | Easy Healthy Dinner in 20 Minutes
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) fresh or thawed frozen tilapia fillets
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Pat tilapia fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange in the baking dish in a single layer.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 60-90 seconds, without browning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley.
- Pour the lemon garlic butter sauce evenly over the tilapia fillets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.
- Remove from oven, spoon pan sauce over the fillets, garnish with more fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Pull the fish from the oven at 140-145°F to prevent overcooking.