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Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 493 reviews

Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia is a deliciously delicate fish dish featuring pan-seared tilapia fillets cooked in a rich, dairy-free coconut cream sauce infused with fresh lemon, garlic, and a blend of aromatic herbs. Served with fluffy basmati rice and nutrient-packed kale, this recipe delivers a perfectly balanced, flavorful meal that’s both comforting and light.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish and Rice

  • 1 (9 oz.) package Sea Cuisine Garlic & Herb Tilapia
  • 2 cups cooked Basmati rice

Sauce and Seasonings

  • 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
  • 4–6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (14 oz.) can full-fat coconut cream or coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or seafood stock, organic
  • 2 Tbsps white cooking wine (optional; substitute with additional stock if preferred)
  • 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsps water
  • 1 cup freshly-grated dairy-free parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup organic kale, chopped
  • 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (seeds removed)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dill

Instructions

  1. Sear and Defrost the Tilapia: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Place the frozen tilapia fillets directly into the skillet and sear for 5 minutes on one side until golden. Flip the fillets and sear the opposite side for another 5 minutes. Once both sides are golden and the fish is defrosted but not fully cooked, remove the tilapia from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  2. Prepare the Creamy Sauce Base: Using the same skillet, reduce heat slightly and add the extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until you can smell their fragrance but before they brown.
  3. Add Seasonings and Herbs: Stir in the sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, and dill until the spices and herbs are well combined with the garlic and oil.
  4. Add Liquids and Simmer: Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually pour in the coconut cream or milk, vegetable or seafood stock, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and white cooking wine if using. Stir to combine all ingredients. Let the sauce bubble gently for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
  5. Incorporate Cheese and Thicken Sauce: Add the freshly grated dairy-free parmesan cheese to the sauce and whisk continuously until it is completely melted and integrated. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to form a slurry. Slowly add this mixture to the sauce while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Add Greens and Lemon Slices: Stir in the chopped kale and thin lemon slices, allowing the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently so the kale softens and the lemon infuses the sauce.
  7. Finish Cooking Tilapia in Sauce: Turn the heat down to low and nestle the seared tilapia fillets back into the sauce, making sure they are well covered. Allow the fish to gently simmer in the sauce for 5 to 10 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
  8. Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and serve the creamy lemon garlic herb tilapia immediately alongside the cooked basmati rice. Enjoy your flavorful and comforting meal!
  9. Bon Appetit!

Notes

  • Use frozen tilapia straight from the freezer to save time on defrosting.
  • White cooking wine is optional and can be replaced by extra stock for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Adjust lemon zest or amount of lemon juice to your preferred tanginess.
  • For a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a bit longer after adding the cornstarch slurry.
  • Dairy-free parmesan cheese keeps this recipe vegan-friendly and lactose-free.
  • You can substitute kale with spinach or other leafy greens if desired.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor of the fish and sauce.

Keywords: tilapia recipe, creamy lemon garlic fish, dairy-free fish sauce, coconut cream seafood, easy dinner, quick tilapia, healthy fish recipe

Find it online: https://famdishes.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-herb-tilapia-recipe/