Perfect One-Pan Fish & Broccoli Recipe: Lemon Butter Caper Magic

Swimming in flavor, one-pan fish and broccoli in lemon butter caper sauce with broccoli promises a luxurious dinner experience that transforms ordinary weeknight meals.

Delicate seafood meets zesty citrus in a harmonious dance of ingredients.

Capers add a salty punch that brightens every single bite.

Mediterranean influences weave through each tender morsel of perfectly cooked protein.

Kitchen magic happens when simple ingredients combine with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Creamy butter melts into a silky sauce that hugs each flaky piece.

We can practically taste the freshness bursting from this elegant yet uncomplicated dish.

Prepare to savor every single, mouthwatering forkful of this restaurant-quality meal.

One-Pan Fish & Broccoli – Zesty Lemon Butter and Capers Await

• Effortless Gourmet Magic: Create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a delicious dinner in just 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy households.
• Simplified One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single skillet that goes from stovetop to oven, saving time and reducing dish washing.
• Flavor-Packed Healthy Meal: Combine nutritious fish and broccoli with a luxurious lemon butter caper sauce that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dish.

What You’ll Need for One-Pan Fish & Broccoli

• Fish Fillets: Fresh, white fish that will absorb the delicious lemon butter sauce, with options like plaice or cod depending on thickness and preference.
• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and color to the dish, pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce.

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that creates a luxurious sauce and helps develop deep flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds smoothness and richness to the sauce, creating a velvety texture.
• White Wine: Provides a subtle depth and acidity to enhance the overall sauce flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy element that brings freshness and balances the rich sauce.
• Capers: Small, briny pickled flower buds that add a punchy, salty accent to the sauce.

• Salt: Essential for bringing out and balancing all the dish's flavors.

Steps for Making One-Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to ensure it’s ready for cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Sauce Base

In an oven-safe skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.

Pour in white wine and bring to a boil, then let it simmer for 2 minutes to develop rich flavors.

Step 3: Develop Creamy Sauce

Stir heavy cream into the wine mixture and continue simmering for another 2 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken and blend smoothly.

Step 4: Add Zesty Lemon Brightness

Mix lemon juice with a few tablespoons of the cream sauce in a small bowl, then pour back into the pan.

Simmer for 1 more minute to integrate the tangy citrus notes.

Step 5: Season and Prepare Sauce

Remove the pan from heat and add capers.

Taste the sauce and season with salt if needed to enhance the overall flavor profile.

Step 6: Arrange Fish and Vegetables

Place fish fillets directly in the pan, then layer broccoli on top.

Generously spoon the creamy sauce over both the fish and broccoli to ensure maximum flavor coverage.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the skillet into the middle of the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Thinner fish like plaice will need around 10 minutes, while thicker fillets such as cod might require up to 15 minutes.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the fish and broccoli to plates.

Serve immediately on its own or alongside a bed of fluffy rice for a complete meal.

Fish & Broccoli Techniques To Master

• Select fresh, firm white fish like cod, plaice, or halibut that holds up well during baking and absorbs sauce beautifully.
• Thinner fish fillets require 10 minutes, while thicker cuts need 15 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain moisture.
• Add capers gradually and taste test to achieve perfect tanginess without overwhelming the delicate fish and cream sauce.
• Use an oven-safe skillet with good heat distribution to ensure even cooking and easy sauce reduction.
• Use a crisp, dry white wine like sauvignon blanc to enhance the lemon butter sauce's complexity and depth.

Keeping Fish and Broccoli Fresh for Another Meal

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F), place fish and broccoli in a baking dish, drizzle remaining sauce on top, cover with foil, and warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through.
• Gently reheat in short 30-second intervals to prevent overcooking the delicate fish, stirring sauce between intervals.
• If fish smells fishy or looks discolored after storage, throw it away to ensure food safety.

Flavors That Fit With Fish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio that complements the lemon butter sauce, cutting through the richness while enhancing the delicate fish flavors.
• Recommend Herbed Crusty Bread: Serve a rustic sourdough or ciabatta with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, perfect for soaking up the luxurious lemon butter caper sauce.
• Create Bright Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan, which adds freshness and acidity to balance the creamy fish dish.
• Match with Chilled Citrus Spritzer: Craft a refreshing drink using sparkling water, fresh lemon juice, and a hint of mint to mirror the bright citrus notes in the recipe.

Different Ways To Serve One-Pan Fish

• Dairy-Free Deconstructed: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use olive oil instead of butter for a lactose-free version that maintains rich flavors.
• Herb-Infused Mediterranean: Swap white wine with vegetable broth and add fresh oregano, thyme, and parsley to create a zesty Mediterranean-style fish dish.
• Low-Carb Keto Friendly: Skip rice and replace broccoli with roasted cauliflower florets, using extra butter and lemon to enhance the protein's flavor profile.
• Gluten-Sensitive Alternative: Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free certified, and substitute capers with chopped green olives for similar tangy notes without potential cross-contamination.

FAQs

• What type of fish works best for this recipe?

White, mild-flavored fish like cod, plaice, halibut, or sole are perfect. These fish have delicate textures that absorb the lemon butter caper sauce beautifully without overpowering the other flavors.

• How can I tell if the fish is fully cooked?

The fish should be opaque and easily flake with a fork. When it reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F), it’s ready. Cooking times vary based on fish thickness, so check early to prevent overcooking.

• Can I substitute the heavy cream?

Yes, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce might be slightly less rich. For a dairy-free option, try coconut cream or a non-dairy alternative that can withstand simmering.

• What if I don't have white wine?

You can substitute with chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even water with a splash of white wine vinegar. The goal is to add depth to the sauce’s flavor profile without compromising the overall taste.

One-Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory one-pan fish & broccoli in lemon butter caper sauce delivers Mediterranean coastal charm on a single skillet. Delicate white fish nestles alongside crisp broccoli, drizzled with tangy lemon-caper butter that whisks diners straight to coastal bliss.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1/2 pound (0.5 lb) white fish fillets (plaice, cod, or similar)

Vegetables:

• 1/2 pound (0.5 lb) broccoli, cut into florets, stem peeled and chopped

Sauce and Accompaniments:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) white wine
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) mini capers
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 servings of rice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 200°C, preparing for a culinary adventure.
2. Melt creamy butter in a versatile oven-safe skillet, creating a golden base over medium-high heat.
3. Pour in white wine, allowing it to bubble and dance, then reduce the temperature for a gentle two-minute simmer.
4. Introduce rich heavy cream to the pan, continuing the delicate simmering process for another two minutes.
5. Extract fresh lemon juice and blend it with a portion of the developing sauce, then reunite the mixture back into the skillet for a final minute of harmonizing flavors.
6. Remove the pan from heat, scatter briny capers across the surface, and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt to elevate the taste profile.
7. Gently nestle delicate fish fillets into the luxurious sauce, then artfully arrange vibrant broccoli florets on top.
8. Lovingly drizzle additional sauce over the fish and vegetables, ensuring each morsel is kissed with flavor.
9. Slide the skillet into the center of the preheated oven, allowing thin fillets like plaice to transform for 10 minutes or thicker varieties such as cod to develop for 15 minutes.
10. Present the dish directly from the skillet, accompanied by fluffy rice if desired, and savor the elegant, Mediterranean-inspired creation.

Notes

• Use a heavy-bottomed, oven-safe skillet to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning the delicate sauce.
• Choose fresh, firm white fish like cod, halibut, or plaice for the best texture and flavor absorption.
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that maintains sauce creaminess.
• Pat fish dry before adding to the sauce to help achieve a better sear and prevent watery consistency.
• Fresh capers provide a briny punch, but rinse them first to reduce excessive saltiness in the dish.
• For a low-carb option, serve with cauliflower rice instead of traditional white rice.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 709
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 374 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 131 mg