Pan-Fried Catfish with Cajun Spice and Lemon Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

Golden pan-fried catfish fillets seasoned with Cajun spices and finished with a bright lemon butter sauce. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, cajun seasoning, salt 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 (4 oz each) catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the exterior is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
3. Step 3: Remove catfish from the skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet and let melt. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, cooking for 1 minute until the sauce is fragrant.
5. Step 5: Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the catfish fillets and serve immediately with your choice of side.