Pan-Seared Catfish with Spiced Cajun Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

A flavorful pan-seared catfish fillet topped with a rich, spiced Cajun butter sauce that brings a southern flair to your dinner table. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, unsalted butter 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces, 6 oz each catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes without moving until the edges are crispy.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 3 minutes until cooked through and opaque; transfer to a warm plate.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir frequently for 2 minutes until the butter is melted and garlic is fragrant but not browned.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then spoon the spiced butter sauce over the catfish fillets before serving.