Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Cajun 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 developed and reviewed.

This Pan-Seared Catfish features a crispy exterior with tender, flaky fish inside, complemented by a rich and spicy Cajun butter sauce. This Southern US-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, salt 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 (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the seasoned catfish fillets to the skillet and sear for 4 minutes on the first side without moving to develop a golden crust.
  4. Step 4: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove the catfish from the skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter along with 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet; sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, letting the sauce thicken slightly for 1 minute.
  8. Step 8: Spoon the spicy Cajun butter over the catfish fillets and serve immediately.

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