A bright, zesty tilapia dinner made in one skillet — perfect for those nights when you need something fast, fresh, and full of flavor.

Let’s be honest — cooking fish at home can feel a little scary at first. I used to think it was something you only ordered at restaurants, not made in your own kitchen on a random Tuesday night.

Then I discovered this lemon garlic tilapia, and everything changed.

It’s light, flaky, and full of fresh citrusy flavor — and the best part? It’s done in 15 minutes flat. One skillet, a handful of ingredients, and boom: dinner is served. This is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you're winning at life, even when the dishwasher's full and your hair is still in a bun.

Ingredients:

• 4 tilapia fillets (fresh or thawed)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

• Lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prep the fish:
   Pat tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Sear the tilapia:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tilapia and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. Make the sauce:
   In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice and zest.

4. Finish it off:
   Return tilapia to the skillet and spoon the lemon garlic sauce over the top. Cook for another minute to warm through.

5. Serve:
   Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices. Serve with rice, steamed veggies, or a simple salad.

Sarah’s Tips:

• No tilapia? You can swap in cod, flounder, or any mild white fish.

• Want more flavor? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of white wine to the sauce.

• Meal prep tip: Make a double batch of sauce and use it on veggies or grilled chicken later in the week.

Why You’ll Love It:

It’s fast, fresh, and feels like sunshine in a skillet. This recipe is perfect when you want something healthy that doesn’t taste like diet food — it tastes like something you'd get at a beachside café. The lemony garlic butter sauce is magic on its own, but even better when it soaks into your rice or roasted veggies. Total weeknight win!

Nutrition (Per Serving, serves 4):

• Calories: 280

• Protein: 30g

• Carbs: 3g

• Fat: 16g

• Fiber: 0g

• Sugar: 0g