Lemon Pepper Baked Tilapia (Ready in 20 Minutes)

Baked tilapia fillets in a creamy, seasoned sauce, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh herbs, in a white baking dish.

Lemon Pepper Baked Tilapia (Ready in 20 Minutes)

This Lemon Pepper Baked Tilapia features tender, flaky fish baked in a buttery lemon garlic sauce with lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, and fresh parsley. Easy, healthy, and ready in just 20 minutes.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword baked tilapia

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 273kcal

Author Julia

Equipment

9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
4 fillets tilapia 4-6 ounces (113-170 g) each
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
Lemon slices to garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Prepare the lemon butter sauce: Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and combine butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Once the butter has melted and the ingredients are well combined, remove from heat and set aside.
Arrange the tilapia fillets in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and paprika evenly on both sides of the fillets.
Pour the lemon butter mixture over the fillets. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley, garnish with lemon slices, and serve warm.

Notes

The lemon pepper seasoning already contains salt, so I don't add any extra salt to the fish, only to the lemon butter sauce.
If using frozen fillets, make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before seasoning.
Tilapia cooks quickly. Check for doneness around 10 minutes; the fish should flake easily with a fork.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals. Avoid overheating since tilapia can dry out quickly.
Freezer: Freeze baked tilapia in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thawing from frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Make Ahead Instructions

Prepare the lemon garlic butter sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it.
When ready to cook, gently warm the sauce and pour it over the seasoned fish before baking.

Nutrition