Blackened Tilapia Recipe with Cajun Spice and Citrus Butter

The other evening, while I prepared my mashed cauliflower, Shaun was making our favorite blackened tilapia. We both love food and enjoy cooking together, testing new seasonings and techniques. This simple blackened tilapia is quick to prepare and pairs perfectly with a light vegetable or mashed side.

As seafood lovers, we still craved fish after a day at the beach. The grocery store had fresh tilapia, and I knew exactly how I wanted to flavor it—bold, smoky, and a little spicy.
This recipe is easy, fast, and full of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 tilapia fillets
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 whole lemon, cut in half
Spice mixture:
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

Preparation:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the spice mixture until evenly mixed.
2. Dip each fillet into the melted butter, coating both sides.
3. Sprinkle the spice blend over both sides of each fillet, using about 1 tablespoon per fillet or more if you prefer it spicier.
4. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the fillets in the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
5. Transfer to plates and squeeze fresh lemon over the fillets before serving.

*We like our fish on the spicier side, so we added extra seasoning to the fillets as shown in the photo.*