Pan-Seared Fish Bowl (Print Version)

Tender white fish with fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, and zesty lemon sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 fillets (5.3 oz 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 chopped fresh parsley
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
02 - Rinse rice under cold running water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rice, 2 cups water, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork to separate grains.
03 - Pat fish fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place fish fillets in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a warm plate.
05 - In a small saucepan, melt butter 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 immediately.
06 - Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Arrange roasted vegetables on top of rice. Place one fish fillet on each bowl. Drizzle generously with lemon sauce and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fish cooks in minutes and stays impossibly tender when you know exactly when to stop.
  • Everything roasts and simmers at the same time, so you're never juggling three pans at once like some recipes demand.
  • One bowl, four totally different textures and flavors—it feels abundant without being heavy.
02 -
  • Fish continues cooking after you remove it from heat, so pull it from the pan when it still looks barely cooked through—it'll finish cooking in the bowl while you're assembling everything.
  • The difference between a good pan-seared fish and a great one is dryness before it hits the oil; wet fish steams instead of sears, and that's where most people slip up.
03 -
  • Keep your fish fillets roughly the same thickness so they cook at the same rate; if one piece is way thicker than the others, cut it in half before it hits the pan.
  • The lemon sauce can be made while the vegetables roast, which means you're never scrambling at the last second to finish everything at once.
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