Sauteed Cajun Catfish with Soulful Spice Blend

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-25 · Updated 2026-05-25

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 drafted and published.

A tender catfish filet pan-seared with a vibrant Cajun spice mix, capturing the soulful spirit of Southern comfort food. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, 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: 10 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun spice blend.
Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels. Rub each fillet evenly with the spice blend on both sides.
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 seasoned catfish fillets in the skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes on the first side until golden and crispy on the edges.
Step 5: Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with 4 lemon wedges for squeezing over, enhancing the soulful flavors.