Quick & Healthy Crispy Cod with Lemon Herb Rice (Kid-Approved!)
If you're looking for a family-friendly dinner idea that’s quick, healthy, and totally delicious, this one’s for you! I recently whipped up this crispy cod with lemon and herb rice—and let me just say, it hit all the right notes. Best part? It came together fast, used simple ingredients, and the kids devoured it.
This dinner follows my go-to formula:
Protein + Veggies + Healthy Starch
It’s a rhythm that keeps things easy and balanced on busy weeknights.
Why You'll Love This Easy Cod Recipe:
✅ Ready in under 30 minutes
✅ Uses pantry staples
✅ High in protein and full of fresh flavor
✅ Great way to get your kids to eat fish (seriously!)
✅ Totally customizable with whatever veggies you have on hand
Crispy Pan-Fried Cod (Not Baked!)
I know the original version of this recipe calls for baking, but I decided to pan-fry the cod instead—and wow, it made the crust super golden and crisp without drying out the fish and I only had to use 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Plus, it shaved off a few minutes of cooking time, which is always a win on weeknights.
Ingredients:
For the Fish:
4 cod fillets (fresh or thawed — you can also use haddock or tilapia)
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko works best for extra crunch)
1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1 egg (or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt to coat the fish)
Zest of 1 lemon
Olive oil for the pan
For the Rice:
1 cup dry rice (or quinoa if that’s more your style)
2 cups water or broth
Juice of 1 lemon
Optional: chopped parsley or dill, halved cherry tomatoes, sautéed spinach, or steamed zucchini
How to Make It:
1. Bread the Fish
Mix your breadcrumbs, lemon zest, garlic powder, herbs, salt, and pepper. Dip each cod fillet (or chopped fillet pieces, like I did) in the egg (or yogurt) and press into the breadcrumb mix to coat evenly.
2. Pan-Fry to Crispy Perfection
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the fish for about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
3. Make the Lemon Herb Rice
Cook your rice or quinoa according to the package directions. When it’s done, stir in lemon juice, fresh herbs, and any extra veggies you want to sneak in (I used baby spinach and cherry tomatoes—so good!).
4. Serve It Up
Plate your crispy fish over the lemon herb rice, add a side of steamed green beans if you’ve got them, and maybe a dollop of Greek yogurt or tartar sauce. Done and done!
A Few Tips:
Swap in quinoa for extra fiber and protein
Let the kids help with the breading—messy but fun!
Leftovers make great fish tacos the next day
This works well with frozen fish too, just thaw it fully before cooking
This recipe is perfect for families searching for:
quick weeknight dinners, healthy fish recipes, easy kid-friendly meals, pan-fried cod, lemon herb rice, balanced dinners, white fish recipes, and 30-minute dinners.
So whether you're meal planning or just winging it tonight, give this one a try. It's a simple dinner idea that feels a little fancy but is totally doable—and definitely repeat-worthy.
Let me know if you make it! ❤️
