Are you ready to transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into a restaurant-worthy culinary experience? This Pan Seared White Fish with Spicy Sauce is about to become your new obsession! Imagine perfectly golden-crusted fish fillets, kissed with a tantalizing spicy sauce that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds. Whether you're a seafood lover or someone looking to impress dinner guests, this recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Total Time: 18 mins
Cuisine: Seafood
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- white fish fillets
- hot sauce
- butter
- garlic
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Pat the white fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a better sear.
- Season both sides of the fish fillets generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering but not smoking.
- Carefully place the seasoned fish fillets into the hot pan, laying them away from you to prevent oil splatter.
- Cook the fish for approximately 3-4 minutes on the first side without moving, allowing a golden-brown crust to form.
- Gently flip the fish using a thin spatula and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove the fish from the pan and set aside on a warm plate.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add butter and minced garlic, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add hot sauce and lemon juice to the pan, stirring to create a quick pan sauce.
- Spoon the spicy sauce over the cooked fish fillets before serving.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Pat the fish fillets completely dry before cooking - moisture is the enemy of a crispy sear!
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast-iron for the most even heat distribution and beautiful golden crust.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - cook fish in batches if necessary to ensure proper browning.
- Let the fish cook undisturbed for the first 3-4 minutes to develop that delicious crispy exterior.
- Use fresh, high-quality white fish like cod, halibut, or sea bass for the best results.
- Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking, as the process moves quickly.
- Adjust the heat if the pan gets too hot - you want a steady medium-high temperature.
- Experiment with different hot sauces to customize the spice level to your preference.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
