Crispy Cod with Lemon-Butter Sauce
Ingredients
1 pound cod (about 3–4 small fillets)
Salt
Black pepper
Olive oil
½ cup plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 tablespoons butter
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Directions
Pat 1 pound cod very dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper.
On a plate, mix breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Brush both sides of the cod fillets lightly with olive oil. Press the seasoned breadcrumbs onto both sides so they stick.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter.
Once the butter is bubbling, add the cod fillets to the pan. Sear for 2–3 minutes per side, until both sides are golden and crisp and the fish is cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
Lower the heat. In the same pan, add 2 more tablespoons of butter. Once melted, stir in the juice and zest of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let it bubble gently for 30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the crispy cod. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon zest if you’d like. I prefer to serve over rice with a side salad or grilled vegetables.
