Ingredients:

  • 4 (6 oz / 170g) tilapia fillets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pat each tilapia fillet thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure a non-soggy finish.
  3. Arrange fillets on the tray, lightly brush each with a small amount of olive oil, and season evenly with salt and pepper.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and paprika until emulsified.
  5. Spoon the garlic-lemon mixture generously over each fillet, ensuring garlic is evenly distributed.
  6. Place one lemon slice on top of each fillet to maintain moisture during baking.
  7. Bake on the center rack for 10–12 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.