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Tilapia en Papillote Packets (Pescado Empapelado) served on a white plate with lemon wedges. A fork laying on the side of the plate.
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4 from 2 votes

Tilapia en Papillote Packets (Tilapia in Parchment Packets)

These Tilapia en Papillote Packets (Pescado Empapelado) arecooked in parchment packets with butter and lemon wedges creating a savory broth.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Servings: 3
Calories: 424kcal
Author: Catherine Arena

Ingredients

  • 1 lb tilapia fillets about 6 fillets (2 per person)
  • 1 green zucchini thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow squash thinly sliced
  • 3 roma tomatoes sliced and quartered
  • 1 onion cut in half and thinly sliced
  • couple sprigs of chives chopped
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic thinly sliced
  • 6-9 tbsp stick butter
  • 3 lemons 2 lemons will be juiced and one quartered
  • paprika sprinkled
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • parchment paper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Rinse tilapia fillets and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
  • Prepare parchment paper by first cutting a little less than 2 feet for each packet. Fold each sheet in half and place tilapia and veggies centered to one side of the fold of each sheet.  
  • Form one layer of zucchini and squash opposite to one another and top with 2 tilapia fillets in the center of the paper.
  • Top with another layer of zucchini and yellow squash.
  • Top with tomatoes, onions, chives and garlic.
  • Sprinkle more salt and pepper all over to your liking.
  • Repeat process with the other two packets.
  • Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons and distribute equally on all three packets.
  • Top each packet with 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter.
  • To enclose packets, fold the sides first in over lapping folds and then fold the top.
  • Place all packets on a tray and cook in the oven for 15 to 17 minutes being careful not to dry fish.  You want to keep the tilapia and veggies soaking in the savory broth it creates and the fish to remain tender.
  • When done, take packets out of the oven and serve on a platter with lemon wedges.  Make an incision in the top and enjoy!
    Note: Could also serve out of parchment paper onto a plate and topped with the broth.

Notes

 
This dish is great on its own or can serve with white rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 3g | Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 1147mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 800IU | Vitamin C: 91.2mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2.2mg