Crispy Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Chipotle Aioli

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Catfish fillets pan-seared until golden and crispy, served with a smoky and spicy chipotle aioli that adds a flavorful kick. This Southern US-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, all-purpose flour, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Southern US cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and dredge each in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Step 4: Add the catfish fillets to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F.
  5. Step 5: While the fish cooks, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp minced chipotle peppers in adobo, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Serve the crispy catfish hot with a generous dollop of the spicy chipotle aioli on the side.

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