Pan-Seared Fish Bowl (Printable)

Golden crispy fish fillets atop fluffy rice with colorful roasted vegetables and bright lemon butter sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fish

01 - 4 fillets (6 ounces each) flaky white fish such as cod, halibut, or tilapia
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional

→ Rice

05 - 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
06 - 2 cups water
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

08 - 1 medium zucchini sliced
09 - 1 medium red bell pepper chopped
10 - 1 small red onion sliced
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano

→ Lemon Sauce

15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 2 cloves garlic minced
17 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
03 - Place baking sheet in preheated oven and roast for 18-20 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
04 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
06 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
07 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat immediately.
08 - Divide cooked rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with roasted vegetables and one pan-seared fish fillet. Drizzle evenly with lemon sauce and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The whole meal comes together in less than 45 minutes, which means you can actually enjoy it on a weeknight without stress.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and pescatarian, so you're not sacrificing health for flavor or spending mental energy on modifications.
  • Pan-seared fish stays tender inside with a delicate golden crust, and the lemon sauce ties everything together without heaviness.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the fish—moisture is the enemy of a good sear, and a soggy exterior will disappoint you even if the inside is perfect.
  • The lemon sauce is better made in its own pan rather than in the skillet with leftover fish oil; it keeps the flavor clean and bright instead of heavy.
  • If your vegetables aren't caramelizing by the 18-minute mark, increase your oven temperature slightly; undercooked roasted vegetables taste watery instead of sweet.
03 -
  • Buy your fish the same day you're cooking it and ask the fishmonger to check for small bones running down the center—a pair of tweezers makes removing them easy and prevents someone from discovering one at dinner.
  • If you're cooking for people who like things spicier, add a small pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon sauce or finish each bowl with a drizzle of good hot sauce for those who want it.
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