Description
This Pan Fry Tilapia with Pesto Cream Sauce is a quick and flavorful seafood dish featuring crispy pan-fried tilapia fillets topped with a rich and creamy pesto sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to make a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Tilapia:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 package Sea Cuisine Smart Indulgence Roasted Garlic and Herb Tilapia (frozen)
For the Pesto Cream Sauce:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or evaporated milk + 1 teaspoon cornstarch)
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet. If your stove runs hot, reduce to medium to prevent burning.
- Cook the Tilapia: Place the frozen tilapia fillets in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 10-11 minutes total, turning halfway through, until the fillets are golden on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Transfer cooked fish to a plate.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Lower the heat to low. In the now empty skillet, add the heavy cream and pesto.
- Thicken the Sauce: Whisk the chicken broth with 2 teaspoons cornstarch until smooth and add to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Season with approximately ⅛ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked tilapia fillets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Serve immediately over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Notes
- Tilapia: Sea Cuisine Smart Indulgence Roasted Garlic and Herb Tilapia can be found in the frozen seafood section at Target, Kroger, Albertson’s (Vos/Shaws/Acme/Jewel), and Food Lion. Visit the retailer’s website to locate a store near you by entering your zip code.
- Servings: This recipe yields 2 servings.
- Total Time: Approximately 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes.
- For a lighter sauce alternative, use evaporated milk with 1 teaspoon cornstarch instead of heavy cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 fillet with sauce)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
