Pan-Seared Fish Filets with Cilantro-Lime Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

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.

Delicate white fish filets pan-seared and finished with a zesty butter sauce infused with fresh cilantro and lime juice. This Latin American recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil 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 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 filets (about 6 ounces each) white fish filets (such as tilapia or cod)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons, chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon lime zest

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 white fish filets and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 3: Add fish filets and cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until edges are opaque and bottom is golden brown.
Step 4: Carefully flip filets and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Step 5: Remove fish from skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
Step 6: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant but not browned.
Step 7: Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 teaspoon lime zest. Pour sauce over fish filets immediately and serve.