Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it to ensure the garlic doesn’t brown, which can make it taste bitter.
Pour in the fresh lemon juice and stir in the lemon zest. Mix it well so the flavors combine beautifully. The aroma at this stage is irresistible!
Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a tiny kick. Give everything a good stir and let the sauce simmer gently for about 5–7 minutes. It will thicken slightly as it cooks, creating a luscious consistency.
Turn off the heat and mix in the chopped fresh parsley. This final touch adds a lovely pop of color and a hint of freshness to the sauce.
Season your fish fillets generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the fish fillets and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, depending on their thickness, until the fish is golden and flakes easily with a fork.
Place your cooked fish on serving plates and generously drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the top. Serve it hot and enjoy!