One-pan Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce with Broccoli & Capers

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Make this easy Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce in just 25 minutes for a delicious one-pan meal. Fish & broccoli are cooked all the way in the sauce made from lemon, butter, white wine & capers - for a dish that will be a fast favorite.

Jump to:

• Why you will love this recipe
• What you need to make it
• How to make it
• Tips & tricks
• Recipe FAQ
• More quick & easy dinner recipes
• Recipe
• Reviews

I dreamed up this recipe a couple of years back when I went to bed little bit hungry, and it quickly became one of my favorite fish recipes. It's got all the best flavors: butter, white wine, lemon and salty capers - a flavor combo that's great with fish, and with a nice glass of wine.

Why you will love this recipe

• Quick and all done in 25 minutes
• Easy recipe with just a few simple steps and simple ingredients
• Hands off with 15 minutes of active cooking - great for busy weeknights!
• All done in one pan for super easy cleanup
• Loaded with flavor and an addictive lemon butter sauce
• A healthy meal on its own or with a side of rice

What you need to make it

Ingredient notes & substiutions

• Heavy cream should be used to avoid the sauce breaking
• White wine: Choose a kind you enjoy drinking, and serve a glass with dinner for the perfect pairing. I recommend Sauvignon Blanc as it goes perfectly with the other flavors.
• Fish fillets: Most white fish fillets work well for this recipe, for example plaice, bream, tilapia and cod
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is the way to go, bottled won't do
• Mini capers can be skipped - just add a bit of salt instead
• Salt can be added if needed

How to make it

1. Melt butter in an oven safe pan (for example, a cast iron skillet) over medium-high heat
2. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes
3. Add cream, mix, and simmer for 2 minutes
4. Spoon a bit of the cream sauce into a separate dish and mix in the lemon juice. Then add this to the rest of the sauce, mix, and simmer for 1 minute.

5. Remove the pan from the heat and add capers
6. Taste test and add salt if needed
7. Place fish filets in the bottom of the pan
8. Top with broccoli
9. Spoon some of the sauce over the broccoli, then cook in the middle of the oven at 390°F (200°C) for 10 (for thin filets) to 15 minutes (for thick filets)
10. Check that the fish is cooked through, then serve as it is or with a side of rice!

Tips & tricks

• For less crunchy broccoli cut it in smaller pieces and/or pre-cook for 1-2 minutes before adding to the pan
• If you don't have an oven safe pan you can make the sauce in a regular skillet and then place the fish and broccoli in a baking dish and pour over the sauce
• Mix lemon juice with a bit of the cream sauce before adding to the sauce, to avoid the sauce breaking
• To find out if the fish is done, poke a fork through it. If it's flaky, comes apart easily, and white (not translucent) inside, it's done.
• This dish is best eaten straight away but you can store leftovers for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The texture of the fish will not be as nice though.
• This dish does not freeze well

Recipe FAQ

More quick & easy dinner recipes

Love quick & easy weeknight approved dinners, like this Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce? Then I think you will love these recipes!

• Baked Cod in Foil with Lemon, Potatoes & Tomatoes
• Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers without Rice
• Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne
• Meatballs without Eggs & Breadcrumbs
• Shrimp Mei Fun
• Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

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