Fish en Papillote

Fish en Papillote

Tender, flaky fish fillets steamed to perfection inside parchment paper parcels with bright vegetables, fresh herbs, lemon, and a splash of white wine. This classic French technique locks in moisture and flavor while keeping the dish light, healthy, and virtually hands-off — perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 18 min · Total 33 min

French · Main Course · Dinner

  • 4 piece white fish fillets such as cod, halibut, or tilapia, about 6 oz each
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 whole lemon thinly sliced into rounds
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 2 medium zucchini thinly sliced into half-moons
  • 1 whole red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt divided
  • 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp fresh parsley roughly chopped
  • 4 stalk fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp capers drained, optional for brininess

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Fork
  • Knife
  • Jelly Roll (10x15)
  • Cutting Board
  • Dipping Fork

Instructions

  1. Preheat your #[Oven] to ![400°F]. Cut four large sheets of #[Parchment Paper], each about 15 inches long. Fold each sheet in half to create a crease, then open them back up flat on a #[Baking Sheet].
  2. Divide the sliced @[Zucchini] and @[Red Bell Pepper] evenly among the four #[Parchment Paper] sheets, placing the vegetables on one half of each sheet near the crease. Drizzle each pile with a little @[Extra Virgin Olive Oil] and season lightly with @[Fine Sea Salt] and @[Black Pepper].
  3. Lay one @[White Fish Fillets] on top of each vegetable bed. Drizzle each fillet with the remaining @[Extra Virgin Olive Oil], then top with sliced @[Garlic], 2–3 lemon rounds, a tablespoon of white wine, fresh @[Parsley], and a sprig of @[Thyme] if using. Season the fish with the remaining @[Fine Sea Salt] and @[Black Pepper].
  4. Fold the empty half of the #[Parchment Paper] over the fish. Starting at one corner, make small overlapping folds along the open edge to seal the parcel tightly, ending with a twist or tuck at the last corner. Repeat for all four parcels and place them on the #[Baking Sheet].
  5. Bake in the preheated #[Oven] for ~[15–18 minutes], until the #[Parchment Paper] is puffed and lightly golden. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork (%[internal temp 145°F]). Carefully transfer each parcel to a plate — the steam inside is very hot — and let guests open their own parcels at the table for a dramatic presentation.