
Bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying, this skillet catfish is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort involved. A homemade Cajun spice blend — built from smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, and a hit of cayenne — coats each fillet in layers of flavor that sear into a gorgeous, golden crust in a cast iron pan. Because every ingredient in the blend is a pure, single-ingredient spice, there are no hidden sugars, fillers, or additives to worry about, which is exactly the kind of control that makes this approach so reassuring. Catfish is a mild, flaky white fish that takes on bold seasoning beautifully, and cooking it in extra virgin olive oil keeps things clean and simple. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end brightens everything up without introducing anything problematic. It's a genuinely craveable meal that proves eating with intention doesn't mean sacrificing the good stuff.
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In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, black pepper, cayenne, and kosher salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels, then sprinkle the spice blend evenly over both sides of each fillet, pressing gently so it adheres.
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