Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Salsa Verde

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A pan-seared Chilean sea bass fillet topped with a bright and tangy citrus salsa verde, inspired by coastal Latin American flavors. This Latin American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs Chilean sea bass fillets, olive oil, kosher salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 Chilean sea bass fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels, then season both sides evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Place the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden.
  3. Step 3: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove from heat and set aside on a warm plate.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped capers, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp orange zest, 1 minced garlic clove, and 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Stir well to create the citrus salsa verde.
  5. Step 5: Spoon the salsa verde generously over the warm sea bass fillets and serve immediately with steamed rice or grilled vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Salsa Verde take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Salsa Verde?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Salsa Verde?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Salsa Verde for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Salsa Verde?

Latin American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes