Cod Piccata Lemon Caper (Printable Version)

Golden pan-seared cod in a bright, buttery lemon caper sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each)
02 - ½ teaspoon salt
03 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
04 - ½ cup all-purpose flour

→ For Searing

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Sauce

07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
09 - ⅓ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
10 - ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
11 - ¼ cup capers, drained and rinsed
12 - ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
02 - Dredge fillets lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
03 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
04 - Add cod fillets and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
05 - Lower heat to medium. Add 3 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds.
06 - Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 1 minute.
07 - Add lemon juice, capers, and chicken broth. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until slightly reduced.
08 - Return cod to the skillet. Spoon sauce over fillets and heat for 1–2 minutes.
09 - Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something youd order at a favorite Italian spot
  • Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen
02 -
  • Dont overcrowd the pan when searing the fish, work in batches if needed to maintain proper heat
  • The sauce thickens slightly as it rests off heat, so remove from pan when it still looks a bit loose
03 -
  • Have all ingredients measured and ready before you start cooking, the sauce moves quickly once you begin
  • Room temperature fish cooks more evenly, let it sit out for 15 minutes before starting

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