If you're looking for a fast, elegant, and easy fish recipe, look no further! Tilapia with a lemon herb butter pan sauce is the perfect fuss-free weeknight recipe because it takes less than 20 minutes!
Neither my husband nor I are huge fish fans, but we both really enjoyed this lemon herb tilapia recipe. The sauce is so tasty that I may have licked the plate.
Fresh oregano, parsley, and dill pack a lot of flavor. Butter makes everything better, and it gives this sauce its irresistible quality.
Many people like tilapia because of its mild taste. Those who aren't into really fishy tasting fish will like it.
I like it because it's a firm fish, which means it's much easier to handle and doesn't fall apart while you're cooking it.
I hope you'll give this lemon tilapia recipe a try!
Questions? Ask in the comments below.

Tilapia with a Lemon Herb Butter Pan Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Flour for dredging (1/4 cup or more if needed)
- 5 ounces chicken broth or water
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop herbs.
- Add salt and pepper to both sides of each tilapia fillet.
- Add flour to a plate.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet on medium-high heat.
- When the skillet is hot, dredge each tilapia fillet in flour and add to the skillet. Cook for three minutes on each side.
- Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and herbs to the skillet. Cook for five minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Great with rice or a side salad.
Mellisa says
Great recipe! I made a couple adjustments - used coconut flour because i had it on hand and used dried herbs but it was soooo good. My family loved it too. I have always baked fish and for some reason I was nervous to pan fry them but this was super easy! ill definitely make it again.
Natasha says
I'm so glad it was a hit and that the pan frying worked out 🙂
Sammy says
What do u think the weight of those two tilapia fillets are? I have the little frozen fillets and I'm trying to decide how many I should un thaw!
Natasha says
Oh geez... this recipe is from 3 years ago, and I don't cook fish all that often, so I'm just guessing here... but maybe 6-7 ounces? Haha sorry I am not super helpful with this! Let me know if you like the recipe. 🙂
Sourav says
I try to avoid fish by all means, but it's a different story for this one. It looks delicious.
And nice photography too. The props used are so simple, yet so effective. Loved the sprinkled spices around the dish.
Natasha says
Thanks so much, Sourav!
MaryAnn says
I made this last week and it was delish! I used white wine instead of the chicken broth and dried not fresh herbs. I may make more sauce next time. It was easy and we loved it. I try to eat fish, but needed some good recipes and this was it! thanks!
Natasha says
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, MaryAnn!! 🙂
Jay Wolin says
This looks fantastic and a solid healthy choice! Excited to give it a try
Natasha says
Thanks Jay! I hope you like it!
Tania @ COOKTORIA says
Love this Tilapia recipe! Sounds so easy and tasty. And the combination of butter, lemon juice and herbs is the best! Sharing!
Natasha says
Thank you Tania 🙂
Amy l worthyoursalt says
Tilapia is one of my favorite types of fish because of how versatile it is! herb butter sounds like the perfect accompaniment to the fish and your pictures of it are beautiful - will definitely try this recipe out 🙂
Natasha says
Thanks so much, Amy!
Ambi says
Natasha Thanks for following my blog !! I have followed you back 🙂 I have tried this recipe today and it was super yummy my family liked it 🙂 Thanks again !! x
http://www.ambiinwonderland.com
Natasha says
You're welcome 🙂 I am glad your family enjoyed the recipe!!
Kate @ Babaganosh.org says
Looks great! I love the combination of herbs in the recipe - it must make the sauce so delicious!
Natasha says
Thank you Kate ?
Ambi says
Thank You so much for sharing this recipe .... it looks super easy and healthy . Great blog dear !! Would you like to follow each other on Bloglovin and other social media 🙂 x
http://www.ambiinwonderland.com
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I'm not a huge white fish fan either, but this tilapia looks incredibly delicious with all that lemon and herby sauce. Gorgeous photos too.
Natasha says
Thank you Thalia ??
Holly Benjamin says
This dish looks amazing!! I'm definitely going to try it!
Natasha says
That's great. Thanks Holly 🙂
Heiress Bunduki says
I am soooooooo trying this!!
Natasha says
That's great, hope you enjoy it!