Pan-Seared Fish Bowl (Print-Friendly)

Flaky white fish, fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, and zesty lemon sauce create a vibrant, healthy bowl.

# What You'll 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

→ 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes 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. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
03 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add seasoned fish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a warm plate.
05 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
06 - Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Top each portion with roasted vegetables and a pan-seared fish fillet. Drizzle lemon sauce over each bowl and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The fish stays tender and flaky while the lemon sauce cuts through everything with a bright punch that makes your mouth water.
  • You'll have four healthy, colorful bowls on the table in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners that don't feel like compromise.
  • Each component stands alone but together they create something that tastes like you spent way more time than you actually did.
02 -
  • If your fish sticks to the pan, it's not ready to move yet—patience for another minute makes all the difference between a beautiful sear and torn fillets.
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or letting it rest covered after cooking; that five minutes makes the grains separate and fluffy instead of clumpy.
03 -
  • Let your fish come to room temperature for about five minutes before searing so it cooks evenly without the outside overdoing itself.
  • Save the lemon zest before you juice it, or use a microplane to get the bright oils without the bitter white pith—it's a game-changer for the sauce.
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