Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia is a flavorful and comforting dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe features tender tilapia fillets in a rich, dairy-free lemon garlic sauce with fresh herbs, served over fluffy basmati rice.

Ingredients

• 1 (9 oz.) package Sea Cuisine Garlic & Herb Tilapia
• 2 cups cooked Basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14 oz.) can full-fat coconut cream or milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable or seafood stock (organic)
• 2 tablespoons white cooking wine (optional; sub with additional stock if desired)
• 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup freshly grated dairy-free parmesan cheese
• 1 cup organic kale, chopped
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (seeds removed)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dill

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the tilapia fillets straight from the freezer. Sear for 5 minutes on one side until golden, then flip and sear the other side for another 5 minutes until defrosted and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: Using the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in the sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, and dill until well combined.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly add the coconut cream, stock, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and white wine (if using), stirring to combine. Let the mixture bubble gently for 1-2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add the freshly grated dairy-free parmesan cheese and whisk until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth. Slowly whisk this into the sauce and continue whisking until the sauce thickens, approximately 1-2 minutes.
7. Step 7: Stir in the chopped kale and lemon slices. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
8. Step 8: Return the tilapia to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Reduce heat to low and let everything simmer together for 5-10 minutes, allowing the fish to absorb the flavors.
9. Step 9: Remove from heat and serve immediately over cooked basmati rice. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For an extra creamy touch, use full-fat coconut cream instead of milk.
• If fresh herbs aren’t available, dried herbs work well; just adjust the quantity slightly to taste.
• Try swapping kale for spinach or Swiss chard for a different green texture.
• White cooking wine can be replaced with additional vegetable or seafood stock if desired.
• Serve with roasted vegetables or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from separating. For best texture, consume within 24 hours.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh tilapia instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh tilapia can be used. Adjust the searing time since fresh fillets may cook faster. Sear until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, this recipe uses dairy-free parmesan cheese and coconut cream, making it suitable for those avoiding dairy.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 65 reviews

This Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia is a deliciously flavorful seafood dish featuring tender tilapia fillets seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with coconut cream, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and a medley of herbs. Served over fragrant basmati rice and enhanced with kale and dairy-free parmesan, this recipe offers a delightful balance of creamy, tangy, and herbal notes perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood

• 1 (9 oz.) package Sea Cuisine Garlic & Herb Tilapia

Rice

• 2 cups cooked Basmati rice

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 4–6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14 oz.) can full-fat coconut cream/milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable or seafood stock, organic
• 2 tablespoons white cooking wine, optional (can substitute with additional stock)
• 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup freshly-grated dairy-free parmesan cheese
• 1 cup organic kale, chopped
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (seeds removed)

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dill

Instructions

1. Sear and Defrost the Tilapia: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, place the frozen tilapia fillets. Sear each side for about 5 minutes until golden brown and the fish is defrosted. Remove and set aside on a plate.
2. Prepare the Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add minced garlic cloves and sauté for around 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Add Herbs and Seasonings: Stir in sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, and dill to the garlic, mixing well to combine all the flavors.
4. Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in the coconut cream/milk, vegetable or seafood stock, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and white cooking wine (or substitute stock). Stir and allow the mixture to bubble gently for 1-2 minutes.
5. Incorporate Dairy-Free Parmesan and Thicken: Add freshly grated dairy-free parmesan cheese to the skillet and whisk until melted and smoothly blended into the sauce. Next, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and gradually whisk it into the sauce to thicken. Continue whisking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
6. Add Kale and Lemon Slices: Stir in chopped kale and thin lemon slices, letting the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently to evenly distribute ingredients and soften the kale slightly.
7. Simmer Tilapia in Sauce: Lower the heat to low, return the seared tilapia fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce to coat thoroughly. Allow everything to gently simmer together for 5-10 minutes so the flavors meld and the fish is fully cooked through.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the creamy lemon garlic herb tilapia immediately alongside the cooked basmati rice for a complete and flavorful meal.

Notes

• You can substitute white cooking wine with extra vegetable or seafood stock if preferred or to keep the recipe alcohol-free.
• Make sure to remove lemon seeds from slices to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
• For a gluten-free option, confirm that your stock and dairy-free parmesan cheese are certified gluten-free.
• Adjust garlic amount according to your taste preference; 4 cloves for a mild garlic flavor, 6 for more pronounced.
• If fresh herbs are available, use 1 tablespoon each instead of dried to enhance freshness.
• Ensure tilapia is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for food safety.

Keywords: Tilapia recipe, creamy tilapia, lemon garlic fish, herb tilapia, dairy-free parmesan, coconut cream seafood, healthy fish dinner, easy stovetop fish recipe