Cod Piccata (Delicious, Easy Cod Fillet Recipe)

Published: Mar, 2019. Updated: Mar, 2021 by Iryna Bychkiv | This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here

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This Easy Cod Piccata in a creamy Picatta sauce makes a quick 30-minute dinner recipe your family will love. Creamy, a bit briny and so so good!

Cod Piccata Recipe

My good relationship with capers started as soon as I tried them for the first time. Briny, salty, juicy, a bit resembling pickled cucumbers and green olives but with quite a different taste. Along with anchovies and olives, capers are one of those ingredients that I'm willing to put in almost any recipe.

I hope you're a fan of them too because they are essential for balancing the creaminess of the Piccata sauce and bringing out a delicious taste of seared cod.

So today I'm sharing with you one of my favorite ways to use capers, actually lots of them.

...Famous Piccata Sauce

It has been invented in Italy and traditionally served with the veal recipes.

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However nowadays, an increasing popularity gained another hearty and comforting dish which is Chicken In Piccata Sauce, which recipe ironically I'm not sharing today.

Piccata sauce is usually made with chicken broth, lemon juice and capers. For an extra creaminess you can add some cream, but even without it, the sauce is absolutely self-sufficient.

Cod Piccata (Delicious, Easy Cod Fillet Recipe) - Lavender & Macarons (2)

For today's recipe I chose Cod fish. I love cooking with Cod and always looking for new ways to prepare it.

Since Cod fish doesn't have much flavor (at least for me), it absolutely begs to be prepared in an aromatic sauce like Piccata. That's where Cod is going to really shine.Delicious Piccata sauce compliment the mild taste of the fish and infuse it with lots of flavor. Super yummy!

What Fish Is Also Good With Piccata Sauce?

Sole
Snapper
Halibut
Trout
Tilapia

My favorite part about this recipe is that it can be put together in under 30 minutes and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Some time ago I've already shared with you one another quick Cod recipe - 15-Minute Seared Cod In Tomato-Caper Sauce. Ridiculously easy with just 5 ingredients required. You're gonna love it!

How to Make Cod Piccata

Choose your cod. Cod is usually sold in individually portioned packets or in one big piece. If you buy the second version, just cut it to desired size pieces and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
Simple dredging. I used flour and Parmesan for dredging. You can skip Parmesan if you want (but why wouldn't you?). Otherwise, dip Cod fillet into a flour-Parmesan mixture and cook in a preheated and oiled pan for 4-5 minutes on each side or until brown. At this point your fish is ready, so go ahead and transfer it to a plate while you make the sauce.
Make Piccata sauce. Wipe off the pan with the paper towel and put it back on the stove. Add butter and once it melts, stir in garlic. Let it cook for no longer than 30 seconds. Now you can add heavy cream and broth and wait until the sauce starts to bubble. While the sauce is cooking up, quickly mix the corn starch with a bit of a sauce and pour it into the pan. Watch as Piccata sauce starts to thicken.
Finishing up. Now, all you have to do is add capers, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Return fish back into the pan and enjoy a delicious and comforting seafood recipe that your family will be begging for seconds.

Can you eat cooked Cod the next day?

For maximum flavor I recommend consuming the fish on the same day. Nevertheless, if you have leftovers, it's totally okay to refrigerate for 3-4 days. And when you're ready to eat, just reheat Cod for 20-30 in the microwave or gently simmer in a skillet for a few minutes.

What to Serve with Cod?

I love serving rich and saucy recipes like this with rice or myRoasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.It's your regular mashed potatoes recipe taken up a notch. Plus, it's really easy to make.

For a pop of color on a plate I recommend adding a simple salad likeMarinated Raw Zucchini Salad or Georgian Mini Sweet Peppers And Zucchini Salad.

More Seafood Dinner Ideas

Mussels Pasta With Fennel And Garlic
Nicoise Salad With Smoked Salmon
Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata
15 Minutes Garlic Mussels In Sour Cream Sauce
See all Seafood recipes

If you make this recipe, don't forget to snap a picture and post it on Instagram with a hashtag #lavenderandmacarons. I'd love to see your creations.

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Recipe

Cod Piccata

This Easy Cod Piccata in a creamy Picatta sauce makes a quick 30-minute dinner recipe your family will love. Creamy, a bit briny and so so good!

4.67 from 59 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 347kcal

Author: Iryna Bychkiv

Ingredients

Instructions

Cut cod fillet to desired size pieces and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a medium shallow bowl combine flour and Parmesan cheese.Dip cod fillets into a flour-cheese mixture and shake off any excess flour.
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet and over medium heat. Place fillets in a skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until slightly browned.Transfer cooked fillets to a plate.
In the same pan melt butter on a medium heat.Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Add heavy cream and chicken broth and wait until it bubbles.
Meanwhile in a small bowl whisk together corn starch and 1 tablespoon of Piccata sauce.Add the corn starch mixture to the pan with the sauce and whisk until thickens.
See Also
Crab Cakes - Best Melt-in-your-Mouth Recipe - Everyday Dishes 120 Best Low Carb and Keto Casserole Recipes Traditional Homemade British Beer Battered Fish and Chips, with a classic easy batter recipe Low Fat Baked General Tso's Chicken - in our Top 10 recipes!
Add lemon juice, capers, season the sauce with salt and pepper.
Add Cod back to the pan, simmer for another minute and remove from the heat.
Sprinkle Cod Piccata with fresh parsley and serve immediately!

Video

Nutrition

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Lavender.And.Macarons or tag #lavenderandmacarons!

Cod Piccata (Delicious, Easy Cod Fillet Recipe) - Lavender & Macarons (4)

Iryna Bychkiv

Website

Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Ann Baker says
February 10, 2024 at 10:03 am

Sauce is 1000% amazing! I did increase the lemon juice to 1/4 cup and enjoyed the little extra lemon kick. Would be a great sauce with sauteed shrimp, scallops or even chicken. I did use an egg wash & breading combo that we use to pan fry fish and it worked well. Will definitely be making again!
Reply
- Iryna Bychkiv says
  February 10, 2024 at 7:36 pm
  Ann, thank you so much for your comment and 5-star rating! I'm happy you enjoyed this cod piccata recipe! And you are right; the sauce is perfect for other types of seafood or chicken.
  Reply
Maureen says
March 21, 2023 at 8:23 pm

I made this exactly as the recipe is. Absolutely delicious. First day of spring meal with baby potatoes and grilled asparagus!
Reply
- Iryna says
  March 22, 2023 at 3:14 pm
  Maureen, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! It sounds like you had a really delicious meal😊
  Reply
Irene says
December 18, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Hi:)
Could you bake the cod instead of pan frying it? If so, how would you do that- time and temperature?
Thank you!
Reply
Eileen says
March 31, 2022 at 5:53 pm

Love this recipe. I have made it with several kinds of fish that we catch including red snapper and sheepshead. So so good!!
I serve with angel hair pasta and a tossed salad!
Reply
- Iryna says
  March 31, 2022 at 7:33 pm
  Eileen, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm happy you enjoyed this recipe!
  Reply
  See Also
  Perfectly Seared Scallops Recipe - Baker by Nature
Sommer says
November 14, 2021 at 8:22 pm

This recipe was amazing. I didn’t have cod so I used boneless skinless chicken thighs. Cooked them until golden brown. Served the dish over egg noodles with roasted rainbow carrots with pesto on the side. Everyone loved this. Will definitely make again.
Reply
- Iryna says
  November 15, 2021 at 9:59 am
  Sommer, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm happy you made this recipe work with a chicken and that everyone enjoyed the dish!
  Reply
Adriana says
July 27, 2021 at 11:38 pm
Ummm… what is picatta we are supposed to mix with the corn starch??
Reply
- Iryna says
  July 28, 2021 at 11:33 am
  Hi Adriana! You mix the corn starch with a bit of a sauce from the pan (the one that consists of butter, heavy cream and broth). And then pour this corn starch mixture back into the pan. This will be your Piccata sauce. I hope I answered your question.
  Reply
Nicky says
April 02, 2021 at 6:25 pm

This was amazing !! Definitely make this again.
Reply
- Iryna says
  April 03, 2021 at 7:41 pm
  Nicky, thank you so much for your comment and a 5-star rating! I'm very glad you enjoyed this recipe!
  Reply
Cynthia Moon says
March 23, 2021 at 9:29 pm

I made this for dinner and it was easy and delicious! I will definitely be adding this recipe to my list of favorites.
Reply
- Iryna says
  March 26, 2021 at 9:15 pm
  Cynthia, thank you so much for your comment and a 5 star rating! I'm very glad you enjoyed this recipe!
  Reply
Barbara says
February 22, 2020 at 10:18 pm

Could use more lemon juice, but otherwise it’s awesome
Reply
- Iryna says
  February 27, 2020 at 12:08 pm
  Thank you for your comment Barbara! I'm very glad you liked the recipe!
  Reply
Kulia says
June 20, 2018 at 2:40 pm
I already would like to try! Looks amazing.
Reply
- Iryna says
  June 23, 2018 at 12:34 pm
  Thank you!:)
  Reply
Neli Howard says
June 14, 2018 at 1:43 am

Oooh, this looks SO good! Would love to try this. Yum Yum Yum! I'm sure this is incredibly delicious! THANK YOU!
Reply
- Iryna says
  June 14, 2018 at 9:31 pm
  Thank you Neli!
  Reply
- Lily says
  August 06, 2023 at 12:13 pm
  I would like to respectfully ask everyone to please not give star-ratings to recipes they have not yet tried. Many people (like me) use star ratings to indicate how many people actually tried the recipe and liked it, not how many people just think it "looks" like it might be good. (Thank you!)
  Reply
Jenni says
June 13, 2018 at 6:27 pm

These sound absolutely creamy and delicious! Great recipe!
Reply
- Iryna says
  June 13, 2018 at 9:03 pm
  Thanks Jenni!
  Reply
Lauren @ Delicious Little Bites says
June 13, 2018 at 5:35 pm

We never eat cod, which is weird because it's so good! Definitely going to pick some up and try this - I just bought capers last week and needed more ideas to use them 🙂
Reply
- Iryna says
  June 13, 2018 at 9:04 pm
  Thanks Lauren! This is one of my favorite recipes to use capers.
  Reply
Claudia says
June 13, 2018 at 1:46 pm

I love cod and this piccata is amazing I love the flavors and how delicious the cream looks on the cod.. Great Job Bravo!
Reply
- Iryna says
  June 13, 2018 at 9:04 pm
  Thank you Claudia! I appreciate it!
  Reply
Jill says
June 13, 2018 at 1:20 pm

Wow! Beautiful photos. I love chicken piccata so I'm sure I'd love your cod version. Pinning!
Reply
- Iryna says
  June 13, 2018 at 9:05 pm
  Thank you Jill! Chicken Piccata is one of my favorites too!
  Reply

Cod Piccata (Delicious, Easy Cod Fillet Recipe) - Lavender & Macarons (2024)

FAQs

How do you make cod not rubbery? ›

The secret to cooking perfectly moist and flaky fish is to avoid overcooking it. The use of fat and lemon juice in this Whole30 cod recipe locks in the natural moisture of the fish and helps it cook in a quick manner. As a result, you should never have dry, rubbery fish again.

Tell Me More ›

Why is my cod tough and rubbery? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

Get More Info ›

How to cook cod from Costco? ›

Oven

Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Season your cod to your liking, or whip up a quick sauce.
Place cod fillets (about 6 ounces each) in a baking dish. Add the sauce if using.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cod is opaque white, flakes easily, and features a golden brown top.

Show Me More ›

How do you cook cod so it's tender? ›

Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil or grass-fed butter to enhance the flavors in your dish and help the fillet retain a moist, tender texture. Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote.

Learn More Now ›

Why does my cod fall apart when frying? ›

As fish cooks, proteins in the muscle fibers coagulate and the flesh changes from translucent to opaque in appearance. When the collagen softens in heat, it loses its structure and turns to gelatin; the muscle fibers have little to hold them together and the fish separates easily into flakes.

Learn More ›

Why did my cod turn to mush? ›

Fish comes in a wonderful variety of flavors and textures, but there is one texture it generally shouldn't be – mushy. A mushy fish is a sure sign that it was not only once frozen, but thawed out improperly.

Explore More ›

What makes cod mushy? ›

There are two causes for mushy fish: The fish was frozen and thawed too rapidly. Melted water soaks the fish and makes it soft.

Should you rinse cod before cooking? ›

Per WebMD, fish is similar to poultry in that washing it raw can cause any bacteria to spread around your sink and kitchen, increasing the likelihood you will get sick.

Explore More ›

Why do you soak cod in milk? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

See Details ›

How to cook cod Martha Stewart? ›

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch nonreactive baking dish; set aside. ...
Season fish with salt and pepper; place in baking dish. Scatter olive mixture evenly over fish. ...
Cover dish with foil. Bake until fish is firm, flaky, and cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes.

Jan 31, 2022

Should you rinse cod fillets? ›

It is completely unnecessary to rinse any type of protein — fish included — unless you feel it's starting to smell off, in which case rinsing is sort of a last-ditch effort to get one more day out of it.

Learn More ›

How do you bake cod without it falling apart? ›

Additionally, make sure the heat isn't too high and you use enough fat (e.g. olive oil, butter)/liquid (e.g. white wine, lemon juice) to keep it from sticking to the pan. If cod separates in pieces, it is overcooked. The flesh should still be slightly tender and in one piece.

How do you firm up cod? ›

Salting fish, like sea bass fillets, before cooking helps to firm up the flesh and improves the texture. If you've travelled much in Spain or Portugal you will no doubt of seen salt cod, or bacalao on the menu – this is where the fish is covered in salt for days to remove all the moisture.

Know More ›

Should cooked cod be chewy? ›

Undercooked halibut can be chewy and unpleasant, while overcooked halibut can be dry and tough. Pacific cod should be cooked to an internal temperature of 130F to 135F for firm and flaky fillets. Cooking cod below or above this range can result in rubbery or mushy fish.

Learn More ›

Does cod need to be soaked? ›

Ideally, the fish should retain some flexibility. Soaking is the most important step in preparing salt cod. Most recipes say to soak for 24 hours.

How do you soften tough fish? ›

As you prepare fish for baking, grilling, or frying, a marinade with olive oil can tenderize the fish to its softest and juiciest form. The process of marinating fish in an infused oil allows the fish to soak in the seasonings and liquids you add to the marinade, creating a truly delicious meal.

Keep Reading ›

Cod Piccata (Delicious, Easy Cod Fillet Recipe) - Lavender & Macarons (2024)

Cod Piccata Recipe

...Famous Piccata Sauce

What Fish Is Also Good With Piccata Sauce?

How to Make Cod Piccata

Can you eat cooked Cod the next day?

What to Serve with Cod?

More Seafood Dinner Ideas

Recipe

Cod Piccata

Ingredients

Click on the highlighted link to purchase the ingredients

Instructions

Video

Nutrition

Iryna Bychkiv

More Seafood

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

How do you make cod not rubbery? ›

Should you rinse cod fillets? ›

References