Pan-Seared Arkansas Catfish with Spicy Cajun Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

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 drafted and published.

This pan-seared catfish recipe highlights the fresh flavors of Arkansas waters, paired with a bold, spicy Cajun butter sauce for a perfect balance of richness and heat. This American Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American Southern cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 fillets (6 oz each) catfish fillets
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) and evenly rub the spice blend onto both sides.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, flipping carefully.
Step 3: Remove fish from skillet and set aside. Lower heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 cloves minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Pour the spicy butter sauce over the catfish fillets and serve immediately.