Pan-Seared Spanish Cod with Garlic and Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A tender cod fillet pan-seared to golden perfection, accented with smoky paprika and a fragrant garlic butter sauce. This Spanish recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs cod fillets, smoked paprika, garlic cloves 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 cod fillets
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp smoked paprika.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Place cod fillets skin-side down in the skillet and sear for 4 minutes without moving, until edges are golden and crisp.
4. Step 4: Flip the cod and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melted butter over the fish as it cooks for another 3 minutes until opaque and flakes easily.
5. Step 5: Remove the cod from heat, drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped parsley over the top before serving.