06/24/2026
Pan-Seared Cod in Lemon Herb Cream Sauce
Ingredients
4 thick cod fillets (or any firm white fish like halibut or sea bass)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
½ tsp paprika
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Season the Fish: Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and a light dusting of paprika for color and flavor.
Sear the Fillets: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cod fillets. Sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms on the bottom. Carefully flip the fish and sear the other side for an additional 2–3 minutes. Remove the fillets from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
Build the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer and reduce by half.
Cream and Herbs: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well to combine and let it simmer gently for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the fresh parsley and chives.
Combine and Serve: Return the seared cod fillets back into the skillet, spooning the luxurious cream sauce over the top of the fish to heat through.
Plate and Serve: Recreate the scene from your video by using a fish spatula to carefully lift a pristine portion of the cod, letting the glossy cream sauce drip slightly, and transfer it directly onto a minimalist dark plate. Serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon.