Pan-Seared Catfish with Cilantro-Chile Lime Butter

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.

Delicate catfish fillets pan-seared until golden and topped with a vibrant cilantro, chile, and lime butter for a flavorful seafood entrée. This Southern US-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, salt, black pepper 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: 12 min Serves 4 Southern US cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 catfish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the catfish fillets, cooking skin side down if present, for 4-5 minutes until golden and edges are crispy.
  3. Step 3: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 minced jalapeño, 1 tsp lime zest, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook gently for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Spoon the cilantro-chile lime butter over the cooked catfish fillets just before serving. Serve with steamed vegetables or rice for a bright, flavorful meal.

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