The Best Oven Baked Tilapia

For the Baked Tilapia

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash seasoning blend
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Lemon slices, for garnish

For the Bernaise Sauce

• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Alternative: 1 package Knorr Bernaise Sauce Mix, prepared according to package instructions

For the Wild Rice

• 1 cup wild rice
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash seasoning blend
• 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Place tilapia fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Drizzle the fillets with olive oil.
4. Season with garlic powder, paprika, Mrs. Dash, lemon pepper, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Garnish with lemon slices and set aside.
7. For the wild rice, bring water or chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan.
8. Add wild rice, butter, olive oil, garlic powder, Mrs. Dash, Better Than Bouillon, and salt.
9. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, or until rice is tender.
10. For homemade bernaise sauce, simmer vinegar, white wine, shallots, and tarragon until reduced.
11. Strain the reduction and set aside.
12. Whisk egg yolks in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until frothy.
13. Gradually whisk in melted butter until the sauce thickens.
14. Stir in the reduced vinegar mixture and season with salt and pepper.
15. Serve the baked tilapia over wild rice and drizzle with bernaise sauce.

Why This Baked Tilapia Works

Tilapia cooks quickly in the oven and takes on flavor well. Garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and Mrs. Dash give the fish a simple seasoned crust without making it heavy.

Wild rice adds a hearty side, and the bernaise sauce gives the dish a creamy finish that makes it feel restaurant-style at home.

Helpful Cooking Tips

• Do not overbake. Tilapia cooks fast and can dry out.
• Use parchment paper. It helps keep the fish from sticking.
• Season evenly. Coat each fillet so every bite has flavor.
• Use chicken broth for rice. It gives the wild rice more flavor.
• Use Knorr sauce for a shortcut. It saves time on busy nights.