Pan-Seared Catfish with Spicy Missouri-Style Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

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.

Moist catfish fillets coated in a bold spicy rub, pan-seared to golden perfection, capturing the flavors of Missouri river cuisine. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, paprika, cayenne 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: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 (6 oz each) catfish fillets
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
for serving lemon wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the spicy rub.
Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels and evenly coat both sides with the spice rub.
Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Carefully place the catfish fillets in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side, until the edges become crispy and the fish releases easily from the pan.
Step 5: Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish.