Description

This Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia is a flavorful and easy-to-make seafood recipe featuring tender tilapia fillets baked to perfection with a rich garlic butter sauce, fresh lemon juice, and parsley. It’s a healthy, quick dinner option packed with delicious, buttery garlic notes and a bright citrus finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish

4 tilapia fillets (6 oz each)

Garlic Butter Sauce

4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Seasoning

Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Nonstick cooking spray (for baking dish)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the tilapia.
Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the fillets from sticking.
Melt Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and simmer gently for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix well to combine the flavors.
Assemble Fillets: Place the tilapia fillets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle half of the garlic butter sauce over the fillets, then season them with salt and black pepper to taste.
Bake Fish: Bake the tilapia in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is fully cooked.
Finish and Garnish: Once baked, drizzle the remaining garlic butter sauce over the cooked fillets. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top to garnish before serving for added freshness and color.

Notes

Ensure the tilapia fillets are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on oven accuracy and fillet thickness.
Fresh garlic is preferred for the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used as a substitute if needed.
For a crispier top, you can broil the fillets for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Garlic Butter Tilapia, Baked Tilapia, Easy Fish Recipe, Garlic Butter Fish, Oven Baked Seafood