Tilapia with Lemon and Herbs

Succulent and flavorful, this tilapia with lemon and herbs makes for a healthy, simple and delicious meal that's ready in no time. Prepared with fresh tilapia fillets marinated in fresh lemon, a kiss of Dijon, olive oil and a sprinkle of seasoning, then lightly pan seared and topped with fresh dill, chives and parsley, this mouthwatering tilapia recipe is a terrific dish when you're craving a light and vibrant meal!

Tilapia, a Mild and Deliciously Versatile Fish

I've always gravitated towards fish which is mild in flavor and takes on a marinade or seasoning really well, a favorite being tilapia.

Marinated in a simple yet scrumptious mix of fresh lemon juice and zest, a touch of Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, pepper, plus a few dried seasonings, then pan seared until golden-brown and finished with a trio of fresh dill, chives and parsley, my go to tilapia recipe makes for a quick, easy, and scrumptious meal when you're craving something light and fresh.

Paired with rice, quinoa, Israeli couscous, or roasted potatoes, this tilapia with lemon and herbs is served up in no time flat, making for an elegant, comforting and healthy meal!

My Recipe for Tilapia with Lemon and Herbs

Tilapia being a mild white fish with a tender, delicate texture, pairs really well with bright and fresh flavors.

It cooks up in a hot pan very quickly—about 4 minutes per side—yielding a golden-brown outer crust that's absolutely delicious and an interior that flakes easily with a fork.

While you can flavor tilapia with any variety of seasonings, I usually like the combination of a kiss of Dijon mustard, lemon, olive oil, a sprinkle of granulated garlic and onion (these won't burn when the fish is seared in the hot pan), and fresh herbs for a pop of color and freshness.

Dill, chives and parsley play well here, and I like all three, though you can choose your favorite one or two as toppings.

If I know I'm making this tilapia recipe ahead, I'll marinated the fish overnight for extra flavor. But as little as 15 minutes does the trick nicely, with 30 minutes of marination being even better, if you have the time.

Here's a glance at my tilapia recipe with lemon and herbs: (or just jump to the full recipe...)

1. To get started, I mix together my marinade ingredients in a small dish or ramekin, and either brush each side of each piece of tilapia with the marinade, or pour it over the fish and massage it in.
2. I place the tilapia filets onto a platter and allow them to marinate for at least 15 minutes (preferably 30 minutes), or even overnight if preparing ahead.
3. When the tilapia has marinated, I place a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and drizzle in a bit of olive oil. Once hot, I add in one or two tilapia fillets, and allow those to sear for about 4 minutes per side, until golden-brown and cooked through.
4. I place the tilapia onto a serving platter and drizzle with a bit of extra olive oil, sprinkle over the fresh herbs, and top with a slice of lemon, if desired. (I typically serve with sautéed asparagus, rice, pearl or Israeli couscous, quinoa or roasted potatoes on the side.)

Recipe

Tilapia with Lemon and Herbs

by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

This mouthwatering tilapia recipe with lemon, Dijon, dill, chives and parsley makes for a quick and healthy weeknight meal!

Category: Entree
Cuisine: American

Yield: Serves 4

Nutrition Info: 290 calories (per tilapia fillet)

Prep Time: 15 minutes (does not include marination)
Cook time: 24 minutes
Total time: 39 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 tilapia fillets
• Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon granulated onion
• ¾ to 1 teaspoon salt (or your desired amount)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill, for garnish
• 2 teaspoons minced chives, for garnish
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley, for garnish
• Lemon slices, for garnish
• Sliced almonds, optional garnish

Preparation:

1. Begin by gathering and prepping all of your ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
2. Prepare the marinade for the tilapia by whisking together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon juice, Dijon, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, granulated garlic and onion, plus salt and pepper in a small dish.
3. Place the tilapia fillets onto a platter or large, shallow dish, and either pour the marinade over top and gently massage it into the tilapia, or brush the marinade over each tilapia fillet. Allow the fish to marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to overnight if preparing ahead.
4. When ready to cook the tilapia, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and drizzle in a small amount of olive oil (about 2 teaspoons worth). Once hot, reduce the heat slightly to medium or medium-low, and work in batches to sear the tilapia for about 4 minutes per side, until golden-brown on each side.
5. Arrange the tilapia on a serving platter, and drizzle with a small amount of the olive oil. Then, add sprinkle over the trio of herbs and garnish with lemon slices and sliced almonds, if desired, and serve with your desired side.

Tips & Tidbits for my Tilapia with Lemon and Herbs recipe:

• Marinate tilapia overnight for most flavor: While 15 to 30 minutes works well when you're wanting to whip up a quick dinner, if you have the time, you'll find the most flavor when you marinated at least a couple of hours or even overnight, if preparing ahead.
• Non-stick skillet to sear the tilapia: I like to use my non-stick skillet with a bit of olive oil drizzled in to sear the tilapia fillets. Just a few minutes—typically about 4—is enough to create a flavorful golden-brown exterior for the tilapia.
• What to serve with this tilapia recipe: I really love basmati rice, quinoa or Israeli couscous here, but roasted potatoes, asparagus, or green beans are terrific as well!

Craving more cozy and mouthwatering fish recipes? Check out my recipe for Baked Halibut, Pan Seared Salmon, Broiled Salmon, Blackened Salmon with Pickled Corn Relish, Pan Fried Fish, or my recipe for Baja Fish Tacos!