Lemon Paprika Tilapia

Lemon Paprika Tilapia

Lemon Paprika Tilapia is served with a flavorful vegetable and cooked rice side dish. Both recipes are easy to make and on the table before you know it.

Tilapia is my son’s favorite fish fillet. He has a long history with this fish variety that goes back to when his children were little. During the slow months in the construction business, he would go fishing forTilapia to fill the freezer with fish to feed his children. The only way that my son has ever made Tilapia was coating it with his favorite store bought fish fry coating and placing it into hot oil to fry.  

Although the way he’s always made it is good, I needed to find a tad healthier way to make it without a lot of the oil from frying it. This was the ticket. This tender, flavorful, fish fillet and rice side dish got me a foot in the door to open up possibilities other than frying Tilapia, and he loved it. While we’re talking about cooking healthier, let’s take a look at the benefits of eating Tilapia.

Why Tilapia?

According to WebMD there are a lot of good reasons to be eating more Tilapia. This fish has a mild flavor which makes it versatile and easy to use in recipes. It’s also very affordable compared to Salmon or shrimp. Tilapia has nearly 23 grams of protein per serving which helps you feel full longer. 

It’s is also high in omega-6 fats, thanks to the corn it eats. Omega-6s are another essential fatty acid your body can’t make on its own. These fats help keep your cholesterol under control. They also prepare your muscle cells to respond to insulin ,the hormone that helps turn sugar into energy. That’s a great benefit, especially if you have diabetes.

This article from The Healthy Fish will show you 4 Ways to Extend The Shelf Life of Tilapia through freezing, curing, picking and canning. Now that we know the health benefits and ways to preserve Tilapia, let’s gather the ingredients for this delicious recipe and make it together.

Lemon Paprika Tilapia Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 Tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 Teaspoon salt
• 1 pound whole Tilapia fillets ( fresh or frozen, if frozen thaw before continuing with the recipe)

Rice Side Dish Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh carrots, diced
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• Two 10 ounce packages of frozen microwaveable white rice (substitute – cook a serving of four with the rice of your choice according to the package directs and proceed with making the rice side dish)

Lemon Paprika Tilapia Recipe Steps:

Step One

Melt 3 Tablespoons of butter in a 12 inch skillet over medium heat until it sizzles slightly. Stir the lemon zest, pepper, paprika and 1/4 Teaspoon of salt into the melted butter.

Step Two

Add the Tilapia fillets to the melted butter and seasoning in the pan. Cook the fillets for about 15 minutes ( turning them once during the cooking time)or until the fillets are golden brown and flake easily with a fork. Remove the fillets from the pan to a plate. Cover them with foil to keep them warm.

Step Three

Melt two Tablespoons of butter in the same pan you fried the Tilapia in. Add the diced onion, carrots and celery plus a 1/2 Teaspoon of salt to the skillet. Cook the vegetables until they are tender. 

Step Four

If you’re using the frozen bag of rice to make the rice side dish  – cook the rice in the microwave according to the package directions while the vegetables are cooking in the skillet. If you are using the rice of your choice instead of the microwavable rice- cook a serving of 4 according to the package directions. Make sure to cook long grain rice ahead of the Tilapia so your not waiting for your side dish when the Tilapia is finished cooking.  Long rain rice takes longer to cook then say… instant rice.

Step Five

Stir the cooked rice into the skillet with the sauteed onions, carrot and celery. Cook under low heat until the rice is heated through. Here’s another option for a rice side dish to go along with the Tilapia, this one’s made in the crock pot and very easy to make. Crock Pot Chicken Flavored Rice and Vegetables. You could also try this Parmesan Risotto recipe, it would be lovely with the tilapia.

Lemon Paprika Tilapia, it’s “What’s For Dinner”!? and it’s DELICIOUS!

PIN IT FOR LATER

Looking For More Delicious Recipes From Bunny’s Warm Oven, Try These!

Herbed Lemon Salmon...Grilled Pork Chop Marinade...Skillet Tomato Chicken Dinner...Lemon Herb Chicken…Carne Asada Marinade

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Lemon Paprika Tilapia

An easy and delicious seafood dinner the whole family will love.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: seafood, tilapia

Servings: 4

Calories: 126kcal

Author: Land O Lakes

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 Tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 Teaspoon salt
• 1 pound whole fresh or frozen Tilapia (if frozen, thaw before proceeding with the recipe)

Rice Recipe

• 2 Tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1/4 cup carrot, diced
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 2 10 ounce packages of frozen microwaveable white rice

Instructions

• To Cook The Tilapia:

  Place 3 Tablespoons of butter in a 12 inch skillet over medium heat. When the butter has melted and is sizzling slightly add the lemon, pepper, paprika and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the pan with the butter. Add the fish fillets to the pan. Cook the fillets 10 - 15 minutes turning once while it cooks until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is slightly browned. Remove the fillets from the pan to a plate.

  To Make The Rice:

  Melt 2 Tablespoon of butter in the same pan you cooked the Tilapia in. Add the onion, carrot, celery and a 1/2 Teaspoon of salt to the pan. Cook the ingredients about 10 minutes or until the onion is softened and the carrot and celery are tender.

  Cook the rice according to the package directions while the vegetables are sautéing in the skillet. When the rice is done cooking, remove it from the microwave, open the bag and place the rice into a medium size bowl. Stir the sauteed vegetables into the rice. Serve the rice with the Tilapia.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 561mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 457IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg

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