Pan-Seared Cajun Catfish with Smoky Maple Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

A bold pan-seared catfish seasoned with Cajun spices and finished with a smoky maple glaze that balances heat and sweetness. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, olive oil 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: 12 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) and season evenly with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the catfish fillets. Cook for 4 minutes on the first side without moving until a golden crust forms.
  3. Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3 minutes until cooked through and flaky.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and add 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to the pan. Spoon the glaze over the fillets continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the fish.
  5. Step 5: Remove catfish from the skillet, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately with the smoky maple glaze drizzled on top.

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