Jazz-Infused Blackened Catfish with Spicy Cajun Butter

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

A soulful dish featuring tender catfish fillets blackened with Cajun spices and finished with a vibrant, spicy butter sauce inspired by the energy of jazz music. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets, paprika, cayenne pepper 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.

Ingredients

• 4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the blackening spice mix.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels, then coat both sides evenly with the spice mixture.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Place the seasoned catfish fillets in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes per side until the edges are crispy and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter with 2 cloves minced garlic, stirring until fragrant for 1 minute.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp hot sauce and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, then remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Transfer cooked catfish fillets to a serving plate, drizzle the spicy Cajun butter evenly over the top, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.