Blackened Catfish with Cajun Spice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

A soulful take on Southern blackened catfish, seasoned with a vibrant blend of Cajun spices and seared to a smoky crust. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• for serving lemon wedges

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun spice mix.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels and evenly coat both sides with the Cajun spice mix.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming, about 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the seasoned catfish fillets to the skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until the edges are blackened and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Remove the fillets from the skillet and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.