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Whole Tilapia Recipe

Whole Tilapia Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 whole tilapia (about 1 lb each), cleaned and scaled
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Pat the fish completely dry, then season both sides and the cavity with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Sear the fish skin side down for 4-5 minutes until deep golden and crispy.
  3. Flip the fish, scatter the garlic around, squeeze the lemon juice over, and baste with the pan sauce for 3-4 minutes until the flesh flakes easily.
  4. Transfer to a platter, spoon the pan sauce over, top with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges right away.

Notes

Let the fish rest a couple minutes after cooking so the juices settle. The skin stays crisp if you serve it immediately, so plate it while the pan sauce is still bubbling. If making ahead, reheat in a skillet to revive the crunch.