Lemon Garlic Cod Dinner

Flaky cod fillets pan-seared to perfection with a vibrant lemon-garlic butter sauce, accompanied by tender orzo pasta and crisp steamed green beans for a light and quick meal.

• Prep: 8 min
• Cook: 10 min
• Total: 18 min
• Servings: 6
• Cuisine: American
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $2.64/serving

Dietary

• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• Low-Sugar
• High-Protein

Tags

• quick
• sauté
• healthy
• fresh
• savory
• comfort food

Ingredients

• 6 ounce cod fillets (6 ounce)
• 1.5 pound fresh green beans (trimmed)
• 2 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 6 clove garlic (minced)
• 0.25 cup lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo pasta and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter. Keep warm.
2. While the orzo cooks, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cod fillets with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
3. Add the cod fillets to the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cod from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
5. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the sauce slightly thickens.
6. Steam the green beans until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. You can steam them in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water, covered, or in a steamer basket on the stovetop.
7. Return the cooked cod to the skillet with the lemon-garlic butter sauce, turning to coat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
8. Serve the lemon garlic cod fillets immediately alongside the buttered orzo and steamed green beans. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the cod and orzo.

Notes

Fish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be gently reheated in the microwave or oven. Be careful not to overcook the fish during reheating to prevent it from drying out.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 391
• Protein: 15.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 55.1 g
• Fat: 13 g
• Fiber: 5.9 g
• Sodium: 962 mg
• Saturated Fat: 5.2 g
• Sugar: 5.1 g
• Cholesterol: 32 mg