Spicy Cajun Blackened Catfish

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Blackened catfish fillets seasoned with a vibrant blend of Cajun spices, seared to a crisp crust and served with a fresh lemon wedge. This Southern US-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 Southern US cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the blackening spice.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels. Generously coat both sides of each fillet with the spice blend.
  3. Step 3: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3 minutes. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and let it melt and foam.
  4. Step 4: Carefully place the fillets in the skillet and cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until a dark crust forms. Flip and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top for a fresh citrus finish.

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