Easy & Healthy Skillet Broiled Cod: Your Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution
Searching for a meal that’s both incredibly simple and packed with flavor and nutrition? Look no further than this fantastic Skillet Broiled Cod recipe. It’s designed for busy weeknights, delivering a fresh, healthy dinner in just about 15 minutes from start to finish. What makes it truly stand out is its all-in-one approach: the succulent cod is broiled alongside vibrant corn and crisp bell peppers, ensuring your side dish is perfectly covered. With minimal prep and a quick spin under the broiler, you’ll have a delicious, complete meal on the table in no time.
Why This Skillet Broiled Cod Will Become Your New Favorite
I’m genuinely thrilled to share this remarkably easy and satisfying recipe with you! It shares some fantastic qualities with my Broiled Fennel Salmon For Weddings…or Weeknights, but with the added benefits of cod. And who doesn’t adore cod? It’s not just delicious; it’s incredibly budget-friendly, especially when purchased frozen. Buying it this way allows you to use exactly what you need, when you need it, ensuring zero waste and maximum savings.
Cod’s true superpower lies in its incredibly mild, neutral flavor. This means it acts as the perfect canvas for whatever seasonings you choose to impart, allowing those flavors to truly sing. Whether you’re aiming for a zesty lemon-herb profile, a savory garlic and butter combination, or a vibrant, spicy kick, cod absorbs and highlights those notes beautifully. This particular recipe takes a delightful Mexican-inspired turn if you opt for the fresh cilantro and bright lime garnish, transforming a simple fish dish into something truly exciting.
When it comes to speed, very few recipes can compete with the rapid cooking time of cod, perhaps only rivaled by my 10 Minute Pesto Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Be sure to save that recipe too for those evenings when you’re truly pressed for time and need to feed your family in a flash.
The Magic of Broiling Fish
Broiling is an often-underestimated cooking method, especially for delicate proteins like fish. It uses intense, direct heat from above, cooking food quickly and creating a beautifully caramelized exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. For cod, this means a perfectly flaky texture that melts in your mouth, without the risk of overcooking that can sometimes accompany other methods. The high heat also helps the vegetables to soften and develop a slightly charred, sweet flavor, adding depth to the entire dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Skillet Broiled Cod:
This recipe calls for simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a burst of flavor. Remember to thaw your cod completely and pat it dry before seasoning to ensure it cooks evenly and gets that desirable flaky texture.
- 1 lb. cod filet (thawed, patted dry)
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Old Bay seasoning (for that classic seafood flavor)
- 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 3-4 mini bell peppers (sliced, any color works!)
- Cilantro and lime (optional, for a fresh, Mexican-inspired garnish)
Essential Kitchen Tools for This Recipe:
Having the right tools makes cooking even easier. Here are the few essentials you’ll need for this skillet broiled cod:
- Chef knife
- Cutting board
- 10” skillet or oven-safe pan (cast iron works wonderfully for broiling)
- Meat thermometer (highly recommended for perfect doneness)
Tips for Perfectly Broiled Cod Every Time
Another fantastic aspect of cooking with cod is that it’s surprisingly forgiving. It’s easy to get it right, and quite hard to completely mess it up, making it ideal for novice and experienced cooks alike. Of course, the key is to avoid undercooking, but also to prevent overcooking, which can lead to dry fish. Here are my top tips for achieving perfect results:
- Preheat Your Broiler: Just like a regular oven, your broiler needs time to reach its optimal temperature. Preheating ensures even cooking from the moment your skillet goes in.
- Pat Dry the Cod: Excess moisture on the fish will steam rather than sear or broil, preventing that beautiful flaky texture. Always pat your cod filet thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with your seasonings! Cod’s mild flavor means it can handle a good amount of salt, pepper, and Old Bay. Consider adding a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of garlic powder for extra zest.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Ensure there’s enough space between the cod and vegetables for the hot air to circulate. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of broiling. If necessary, use two pans.
- Check for Doneness: My favorite foolproof way to check for doneness is to make a small incision in the thickest part of the filet. If it’s flaky and opaque (solid white) throughout, then you’re good to go. For ultimate precision, use a reliable meat thermometer. The ideal internal temperature for cooked cod is 130-135°F (54-57°C). This ensures it’s perfectly cooked, moist, and safe to eat.
- Rest Briefly: After removing from the broiler, let the cod rest for a minute or two. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and flavorful fish.
Customizing Your Skillet Broiled Cod
While this recipe is delicious as written, cod’s versatility means you can easily adapt it to your preferences or whatever you have on hand:
- Vegetable Swaps: Instead of corn and bell peppers, try broiling with asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, sliced zucchini, thinly sliced onions, or broccoli florets. Adjust cooking times slightly as needed.
- Seasoning Variations: Experiment beyond Old Bay! A simple lemon-herb seasoning (lemon zest, dried oregano, thyme, garlic powder), a spicy chili-lime rub, or a Mediterranean blend (oregano, basil, garlic, a touch of red pepper flakes) would all be delicious.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your broiled cod and veggies over a bed of fluffy quinoa, brown rice, or alongside a fresh green salad for a light meal. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a dollop of Greek yogurt can also brighten the flavors.
More Quick Skillet and One-Pot Dinner Recipes to Love:
If you’re a fan of easy, fuss-free meals that come together in a single pan or pot, then these recipes are definitely for you. They’re perfect for those busy evenings when you want maximum flavor with minimum cleanup.
- BBQ Chicken Tater Tot Skillet
- One Skillet Chicken Broccoli and Rice
- Mushroom Stroganoff Skillet Style
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
- One-pan Creamy Mushroom Ravioli
- One-Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
- Rotisserie Chicken Nachos
Skillet Broiled Cod
IMPORTANT – Be sure to read the full blog post above for detailed tips, variations, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions to master this recipe!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. cod filet thawed, patted dry
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- Old Bay seasoning
- 1 cup corn
- 3-4 mini bell peppers sliced
- cilantro and lime optional
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to LOW broil. Position an oven rack in the center, typically 4-6 inches from the broiler element.
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Carefully sprinkle both sides of the cod filet with salt, pepper, and a generous amount of Old Bay seasoning. Ensure the fish is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
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Place the seasoned cod filet into your 10-inch skillet or a sturdy oven-safe pan. Arrange the corn and sliced mini bell peppers around the cod. Drizzle everything lightly with extra virgin olive oil.
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Carefully place the skillet on the preheated oven rack directly under the broiler. Broil for 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your cod filet. The fish is done when it becomes opaque throughout and flakes easily when gently prodded with a fork or utensil. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly for a minute or two, then serve warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice if desired for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions About Skillet Broiled Cod
- Can I use frozen cod?
- Absolutely! In fact, buying cod frozen is often more economical and ensures you always have it on hand. Just make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water before patting it dry and seasoning.
- What if I don’t have mini bell peppers?
- No problem! You can use one regular-sized bell pepper, sliced. You can also substitute with other quick-cooking vegetables like thin asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, or sliced zucchini.
- How do I know when the cod is fully cooked?
- The easiest way is to gently flake the thickest part of the fish with a fork. It should be opaque and separate easily. For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C).
- Can I use a different seasoning?
- Definitely! Cod is incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spice blends. Lemon pepper, garlic powder with dried herbs (like dill or parsley), or even a touch of paprika and cumin for a smoky flavor would all work wonderfully.
- Is Skillet Broiled Cod healthy?
- Yes, it’s a very healthy meal! Cod is a lean protein source, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, while the corn and bell peppers add fiber and antioxidants. Broiling requires minimal added fat, keeping the dish light and nutritious.
- How long do leftovers last?
- Leftover broiled cod can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven to prevent drying out.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
