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Cajun Baked Catfish Recipe

Cajun Baked Catfish Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 28 reviews

Cajun Baked Catfish is a flavorful and spicy dish featuring tender catfish fillets seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices, hot sauce, and lemon juice, then baked to perfection with butter for a rich and succulent finish. This simple yet delicious recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 large raw catfish fillets, about 1 pound
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Crystal hot sauce
  • Salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it is hot enough for baking the catfish perfectly.
  2. Prepare Skillet: Liberally grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet with oil to prevent sticking and help with even cooking.
  3. Place Catfish: Lay the catfish fillets evenly in the prepared skillet.
  4. Apply Lemon Juice: Pour half of the lemon juice onto one fillet, then the other half onto the second fillet, using a brush or the back of a spoon to coat the tops evenly.
  5. Add Hot Sauce: Repeat the same process with the Crystal hot sauce, carefully brushing it over the fillets for a spicy kick.
  6. Season: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste over both fillets.
  7. Add Dried Spices: Evenly distribute half of the dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika over each fillet.
  8. Add Butter: Arrange the pieces of cold butter around and on top of the catfish to melt during baking, adding richness and moisture.
  9. Add Lemon Zest (Optional): Sprinkle lemon zest on top of the seasoned fillets for a bright citrus aroma.
  10. Bake: Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and an internal temperature of 145°F is reached on a digital thermometer.

Notes

  • Ensure the catfish fillets are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
  • Use fresh lemon zest for the best citrus flavor if available; it is optional but recommended.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
  • Using a cast iron skillet helps achieve even cooking and adds depth of flavor.
  • Check the fish at 15 minutes to avoid overcooking; it should flake easily and be opaque.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun baked catfish, spicy catfish recipe, baked fish, Cajun seafood, easy catfish dinner

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/cajun-baked-catfish-recipe/