Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun Spice and Cornbread Crumble

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.

This dish features pan-seared catfish fillets dusted with a bold Cajun spice blend, paired with a crunchy cornbread crumble topping that adds texture and Southern charm. This Southern US-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, Cajun seasoning, cornbread crumbs 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 Southern US cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets, then season evenly on both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add the fillets and cook for 4 minutes per side until the edges are crispy and fish flakes easily.
  3. Step 3: While fish cooks, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small pan over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup cornbread crumbs and sauté for 3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove fish from heat, drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over each fillet, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: Serve the catfish topped with the warm cornbread crumble for a delightful contrast in texture.

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