Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Firm catfish fillets pan-seared and brushed with a sweet and spicy Kansas City-style barbecue glaze that caramelizes beautifully. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, smoked paprika 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 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the catfish fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden.
  3. Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook for another 3 minutes until just cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup Kansas City-style BBQ sauce with 2 tbsp honey and 1 tsp hot sauce in a small bowl.
  5. Step 5: Brush the BBQ glaze generously over the catfish fillets in the last minute of cooking, allowing it to caramelize slightly. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Kansas City BBQ Glaze?

American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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