Baked Tilapia in Lemon Garlic Sauce Recipe
Delicious and healthy Baked Tilapia in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, enhanced with Italian seasoning and smoked paprika. This recipe features tender tilapia fillets baked with fresh peppers, onions, and lemon slices, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Vegetables
- 4 large Tilapia fillets
- 1 large onion, thick sliced
- 2 cups peppers, cut into medium thick strips
- 3–4 fresh lemon slices
Marinade
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or mixed dry herbs)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika as substitute)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, thoroughly mix the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful marinade.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) and position the rack in the upper third section to ensure optimal heat distribution for baking the fish and vegetables.
- Arrange Vegetables: On a baking tray, spread the thickly sliced onions and pepper strips in a single even layer to serve as a bed for the tilapia fillets.
- Place Tilapia and Apply Marinade: Lay the tilapia fillets over the arranged vegetables, then generously apply the prepared marinade on both sides of each fillet, ensuring full flavor coverage.
- Add Lemon Slices: Place the fresh lemon slices on top of the tilapia fillets to infuse the fish with a bright citrus aroma during baking.
- Bake the Dish: Bake in the preheated oven on the upper third rack at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the baked tilapia over a bed of rice with the roasted vegetables on the side. Spoon the leftover lemon garlic butter sauce from the pan over the fish for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and slices for the brightest flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the marinade.
- Make sure not to overcook the fish to keep it moist and tender.
- The smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor, but regular paprika works well as a substitute.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
Keywords: Baked Tilapia, Lemon Garlic Tilapia, Healthy Fish Recipe, Easy Baked Fish, Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce, Low Fat Dinner
