Zesty Mahi Mahi with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Seafood lovers swoon over this mahi mahi with lemon garlic cream sauce that delivers restaurant-quality flavors right in your kitchen.

Tender, flaky fish meets a luxurious sauce that dances with bright citrus and rich, velvety notes.

The delicate mahi mahi absorbs every nuanced flavor, creating a dish that’s both elegant and approachable.

garlic adds a robust depth while lemon provides a zesty punch that cuts through the cream richness.

Weeknight dinners get an instant upgrade with this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Easy to prepare and impossibly delicious, this mahi mahi will become your new favorite seafood go-to.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress with a meal that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet restaurant.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

Mahi Mahi with Lemon Garlic Sauce Ingredients

• Paprika: Adds warm, sweet pepper depth with vibrant color to the fish.
• Dried Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes that complement seafood perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps draw out natural fish sweetness.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and aromatic sharpness to the seasoning blend.

• Butter: Creates rich, golden searing surface with incredible flavor foundation.
• Olive Oil: Prevents butter from burning and adds subtle fruity undertones.
• Shallots: Delivers delicate, mild onion essence with sophisticated sweetness.
• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent aroma that elevates the entire dish.

• Chicken Broth: Provides savory liquid base with depth and complexity.
• Cornstarch: Ensures smooth, silky sauce consistency without lumps.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture with indulgent richness.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavors and adds zesty, tangy counterpoint.
• Fresh Thyme: Introduces delicate herbal freshness to the cream sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers clean, green finish with subtle peppery undertone.
• Chives: Provides mild onion-like garnish with delicate green color.
• Salt and Pepper: Final seasoning to balance and perfect sauce flavor.

Tools for Cooking Mahi Mahi Just Right

• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing spice rub ingredients.
• Large Heavy-Bottom Skillet: Essential for searing fish and creating sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring spice rub components.
• Whisk: Needed to blend chicken broth, cornstarch, and create smooth sauce.
• Plate: Used to rest cooked fish and keep warm.
• Foil: Helps tent and keep fish warm while preparing sauce.
• Cutting Board: For prepping ingredients like shallots and herbs.
• Sharp Knife: To chop herbs and prepare ingredients.

How to Make Mahi Mahi with Creamy Sauce

• Spice Awakening Blend exotic spices in a bowl and lovingly massage them into the fish, creating a flavor-packed coat that will make taste buds dance.
• Golden Sear Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet, transforming the fish into a crispy, golden masterpiece with perfectly caramelized edges in just a few minutes.
• Flavor Foundation Sauté shallots and garlic, releasing their aromatic magic and capturing those delicious browned bits that bring depth to the sauce.
• Creamy Dream Whisk together a luxurious sauce combining broth, cream, and bright lemon, letting it simmer and thicken into a velvety embrace for the fish.
• Final Touch Nestle the fish back into the sauce, allowing it to soak up all the incredible flavors, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh chives.
• Plate and Enjoy Serve alongside your favorite starch, creating a restaurant-worthy meal that will transport you to coastal culinary bliss.

Tips for Richness Without Overpowering the Fish

• Choose mahi mahi with firm, translucent flesh and minimal odor to ensure optimal taste and quality.
• Use medium heat to prevent overcooking and maintain the fish's delicate texture, watching carefully for golden-brown edges.
• Experiment with adding smoked paprika, cayenne, or dried herbs to the spice rub for a personalized flavor profile.
• Swap mahi mahi with halibut, cod, or salmon while keeping the same cooking technique and cream sauce.
• Prepare the lemon garlic cream sauce in advance and reheat gently before serving to save time during meal preparation.

Ways to Plate and Pair This Seafood Dish

• Plate with Vibrant Sides: Complement the mahi mahi with colorful roasted vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, or zucchini to add visual appeal and nutritional balance.
• Pair with Crisp Wine: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the lemon garlic cream sauce's bright, tangy flavors and cut through the richness of the fish.
• Garnish for Extra Zest: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, a squeeze of lemon, or toasted pine nuts on top to add texture, freshness, and an elegant finishing touch to the dish.
• Create a Coastal Plating Style: Serve on a white ceramic plate with a blue rim to evoke a seaside restaurant feel, making the golden-brown fish and creamy sauce look even more appetizing.

Preserving Fish and Sauce Separately

• Refrigerate Strategically: Store leftover mahi mahi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the fish and sauce separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy results.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual fillets tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags, which can preserve the fish for up to 3 months without losing flavor or quality.
• Reheat with Gentle Care: Warm refrigerated fish slowly in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to prevent drying out and maintain the sauce's creamy consistency.
• Consume Quickly: Enjoy refrigerated mahi mahi within 3-4 days for the best taste and food safety, checking for any unusual odors or discoloration before reheating.

Vibrant Mahi Mahi With Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent mahi mahi with lemon garlic cream sauce delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors in one elegant dish. Delicate fish fillets bathe in zesty sauce, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create at home.

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Ingredients

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• 4 mahi mahi fillets (4–6 oz / 113–170 g each, 1-inch thick)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsps minced shallots
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Freshly chopped chives

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Blend all spice ingredients thoroughly in a medium bowl, creating a robust and aromatic seasoning mix.
2. Fish Preparation: Meticulously dry mahi mahi fillets with paper towels, then massage the spice blend uniformly across each fillet’s surface, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Searing: Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high, combining butter and olive oil until shimmering. Carefully place seasoned fillets in the pan, reducing heat to medium, and cook for 4 minutes to develop a golden-brown crust.
4. Cooking Fish: Flip fillets and continue cooking for 2-4 minutes until fish flakes easily and reaches desired internal temperature. Transfer to a serving plate and loosely tent with foil.
5. Sauce Base: In the same skillet, sauté shallots while scraping caramelized bits, then add garlic and cook briefly to release aromatic essences.
6. Sauce Development: Whisk chicken broth and cornstarch in a separate bowl, then pour into the skillet along with heavy cream, lemon juice, thyme, and parsley. Simmer and stir until the sauce reduces by half and reaches a velvety consistency.
7. Seasoning and Finishing: Adjust sauce with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice to balance flavors. Gently return fish to the skillet, spooning sauce over the fillets.
8. Presentation: Optionally garnish with chives and serve immediately alongside steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Notes

• Dry Fish Thoroughly: Completely pat mahi mahi fillets dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
• Spice Rub Technique: Massage spice blend evenly across fish surface for maximum flavor penetration and consistent seasoning.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk cornstarch and broth separately to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety sauce texture.
• Temperature Management: Use medium-high heat initially for searing, then reduce to medium for even cooking and preventing fish from becoming tough or dry.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 570 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg