Pan-Seared Amazonian Fish with Herb and Lime Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

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.

Delicate white fish fillets pan-seared and topped with a fragrant herb and lime butter that highlights regional tropical freshness. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 fillets, about 6 oz each white fish fillets (e.g. tilapia or pacu)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh cilantro
2, minced garlic cloves

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 white fish fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fish fillets and cook for 4 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden and edges are crispy.
Step 3: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 3 minutes until just cooked through and opaque.
Step 4: Remove the fish from the skillet and set aside on a warm plate. Reduce heat to medium-low and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro to the skillet.
Step 5: Stir the butter mixture for 1-2 minutes until melted and fragrant, then spoon the herb lime butter over the fish fillets before serving.