Lemon Garlic Tilapia with Green Beans
A delightful and easy dish that features the delicate taste of tilapia, complemented by zesty lemon and aromatic garlic, served with crisp green beans.
Ingredients
For the Fish
- 4 fillets Tilapia fillets (approx. 4-6 oz each) Fresh or frozen (thawed completely and patted dry)
- 1 lb Fresh Green Beans Trimmed
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Divided; can be substituted with olive oil for a dairy-free option
- 4 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 large Lemon Half juiced (about 2 tablespoons), half thinly sliced for garnish and cooking
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil For cooking the fish and beans
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth or White Wine (optional) Adds moisture and depth to the sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional) For a subtle kick of heat
- to taste Salt Enhances all the flavors
- to taste Freshly Ground Black Pepper Adds a mild spice
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (or Dill) Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- If using frozen tilapia, ensure it’s fully thawed. Pat the tilapia fillets completely dry with paper towels on all sides.
- Generously season both sides of the tilapia fillets with salt and pepper.
- Wash and trim the ends off the fresh green beans.
- Finely chop the garlic cloves to release their flavor.
- Juice half of the lemon, and thinly slice the other half for garnish and cooking.
- Prepare fresh parsley or dill for garnish.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add trimmed green beans, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Sauté for 4-6 minutes, until bright green and crisp-tender.
- Remove green beans from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
- Carefully place the seasoned tilapia fillets in the skillet, sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown, but not fully cooked yet.
- Remove tilapia from the skillet and set aside with green beans.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
- Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth or white wine and fresh lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for flavor.
- Bring to a gentle simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Return seared tilapia and cooked green beans to the skillet with the sauce. Nestle the lemon slices around and atop the fish fillets.
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for another 3-5 minutes until tilapia is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Serving
- Remove from heat and sprinkle generously with fresh herbs. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the tilapia and green beans.
Notes
Avoid overcooking the tilapia; monitor closely. Fresh ingredients enhance flavor. Let flavors meld by allowing to simmer properly.