Baked Tilapia with Herbs (Printable version)
Tender tilapia fillets oven-baked with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon for a light, healthy meal ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 tilapia fillets (approximately 5 ounces each), patted completely dry
→ Fresh Herbs & Aromatics
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Other
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - Lemon wedges for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Place the tilapia fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overlapping.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dill, chives, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - Spoon the herb mixture evenly over each tilapia fillet, using the back of the spoon to spread and coat the fish completely.
05 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
06 - Transfer to serving plates immediately and accompany with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It's incredibly fast, perfect for those weeknights when you want something delicious but don't have hours to spend.
- The fresh herbs and lemon transform humble tilapia into a dish that tastes surprisingly gourmet, without any complicated techniques.
02 -
- Overcooking fish is the quickest way to ruin it; always check for flakiness, not just timing, to ensure it stays tender and juicy.
- Don't be afraid to adjust herb quantities; if you adore dill, add a little extra – the beauty of this dish is its flexibility.
03 -
- For easier cleanup and to prevent sticking, always use parchment paper, especially with delicate fish like tilapia.
- Always rely on the "flake test" – when the fish easily separates with a fork, it's perfectly cooked; pull it from the oven immediately.