Pan-Seared Fish Bowl (Print version)

Tender pan-seared white fish served on rice with roasted vegetables and zesty lemon sauce.

# What you’ll need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 fillets flaky white fish (cod, halibut, or tilapia), 5.3 oz each
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

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
02 - 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.
03 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
04 - 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 and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
05 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
06 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each portion with roasted vegetables and one fish fillet. Drizzle generously with lemon sauce and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Cooking tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can serve something restaurant-quality on a completely ordinary Tuesday.
  • The bowl format makes it feel special without requiring any fancy techniques or unusual ingredients.
  • Once you master the pan-seared fish, you'll find yourself making this constantly because it genuinely tastes better than the effort suggests.
02 -
  • Drying the fish properly before searing is non-negotiable; any moisture will create steam instead of a golden crust, and that's the whole point of pan-searing.
  • Don't walk away from the fish once it hits the pan—listen for the sizzle, watch for the color change, and trust that timing over guesswork.
  • The lemon sauce needs to be made fresh and added just before serving, otherwise it separates and loses its punch.
03 -
  • Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking—mise en place isn't just a French term, it's the difference between a calm kitchen and a chaotic one.
  • If you're serving four people, cook the fish in two batches rather than crowding the pan; it's faster and gives better results.
  • The bowl format is forgiving, so don't stress if your vegetables look different from mine—use what's in season and what looks good at the market.
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