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Crab Crusted Halibut

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

February 10, 2026

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5 from 14 votes

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Crab encrusted halibut pin.
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This Crab Crusted Halibut recipe with Chili Cream Sauce is inspired by The Waterfront Depot in Florence, Oregon.

Crab Encrusted Halibut with Chili Cream Sauce | platingsandpairings.com

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This dish was my best attempt (to date) to win over the BF. I think it worked. He’s now my husband.

Since Rick and I first met, he’s always raved about The Waterfront Depot in Florence, Oregon (on the coast). And, one special dish in particular – the Crab Encrusted Halibut with Chili Cream Sauce.

Last Christmas, we made a visit to Florence, and unfortunately got stuck staying in some awful hotel, because we planned at the last minute. It was the only dog-friendly option available. And Sammie the labradoodle goes everywhere. I may have feared for my life that night. But – The saving grace in all of it was that I finally got to try this special dish!

Doesn’t it just sound decadent?

It is.

Crab Encrusted Halibut with Chili Cream Sauce | platingsandpairings.com

Take a delicate, mild, halibut filet, coat it in a mixture of bread crumbs and crab meat, saute until golden, finish in the oven, then top it with a creamy sweet chili sauce, made of Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce and heavy cream. To score some extra bonus points, I topped the whole thing off with an extra hunk of claw crab meat. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen Rick snap a picture of food with his iPhone…

Pretty photogenic, don’t you think?

Actually, I wasn’t going to photograph this dish. I wanted to take a night off from blogging, and just take time to enjoy this extravagant dinner and a nice glass of Pinot Gris. But alas, the food won. It was too pretty not to snap a few shots.

And, it was too good not to share the recipe.

Serving suggestions

Pair your halibut with one of these 35+ sides for halibut or use these suggestions instead:

  • Sous Vide Asparagus
  • Lemon Pasta
  • Israeli Couscous with Tomatoes
  • Grilled Broccolini
  • Zucchini Pasta Salad
  • Arugula Salad
  • Vegetable Stir Fry

Wine Pairings for Halibut

  • Pinot Gris, Champagne and Rosé are all great options for this delicately flavored dish.
  • More → 8 BEST wine pairings with fish.

More Seafood Recipes

  • Shrimp Risotto
  • Baked Panko Cod
  • Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp & Cherry Tomatoes
  • Sheet Pan Miso Salmon and Vegetables
  • Seafood Paella with Saffron Aioli

If you loved this Crab Encrusted Halibut recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give it a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Crab Encrusted Halibut with Chili Cream Sauce | platingsandpairings.com

Full Recipe

Crab Encrusted Halibut with Sweet Chili Sauce

This Crab Encrusted Halibut recipe with Chili Cream Sauce is inspired by The Waterfront Depot in Florence, Oregon.
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 pound crab meat
  • 4 6-ounce halibut filets
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 whole eggs
  • 1 ounce vegetable oil
  • 1 ounce unsalted butter
  • 1 cup Mae Ploy sweet hot chili sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Season fish with salt and pepper.
  • Combine bread crumbs and crab meat in a shallow bowl, using fork to combine and make a breading mixture. Place flour in a separate shallow dish. Break the eggs into a third shallow dish, and whisk with a fork.
  • Coat each piece of the halibut in flour, then coat with egg, and the with crab breading.
  • Heat oil and butter in a large sautee pan over medium-high heat. Fry the halibut until golden brown on both sides. Place on lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for approximately 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish.
  • Heat the chili sauce in a small saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cream and turn the heat down to medium. Simmer until slightly thickened.
  • To serve, plate the halibut and top with chili sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 203mg | Sodium: 1502mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1270IU | Vitamin C: 14.9mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 3.3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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42 responses

  1. Ali
    February 29, 2016

    Totally photogenic! Almost too pretty to eat. Almost….

    Reply
    1. Erin
      February 29, 2016

      Thanks Ali 🙂

      Reply
      1. Bridget Vredenburg
        September 24, 2019

        5 stars
        Thank you so much for posting this recipe! We use to live a couple of hours or less from the Waterfront Depot. We would go their for the Crab Encrusted Halibut! We have moved several times and now live in Northern California. This recipe is absolutely delicious! I did have to tone the sweet chili sauce down a little with cream cheese to make it less spicy for our taste. The rest was spot on. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

        Reply
        1. Erin
          September 24, 2019

          I’m so glad you liked it Bridget! It’s been quite some time since we’ve been to the Waterfront too! I need to make this recipe again soon!

          Reply
      2. DON halbardier
        July 14, 2020

        We have eaten this dish at the Waterfront Depot at least 10 times even though we live in Houston. Went to Oregon to play golf. This dish is real good. Will now make this recipe at home.

        Reply
        1. Erin
          July 14, 2020

          Yay! I hope you enjoy it at home Don! Where did you play golf? My husband is an avid golfer!

          Reply
          1. Don Halbardier
            June 26, 2023

            Played at Sandpines in Florence

  2. Pech
    February 29, 2016

    This looks so delicious and professionally plated like from a white tablecloth restaurant! I can see why it demands to be photographed for posterity, and thanks for sharing the recipe… I like the sound of the crusted halibut even by itself without the sauce!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      February 29, 2016

      Pech – It’d be absolutely delicious without the sauce as well. Or, now you have me thinking, some sort of picatta sauce?… That would be SO yummy too!

      Reply
  3. Amy
    February 29, 2016

    This is almost too pretty to eat! It looks amazingly delicious. My mouth is watering!

    Reply
  4. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
    February 29, 2016

    Gorgeous dish Erin! I can see why Rick grabbed his phone!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      February 29, 2016

      Ha! He HAD to photograph his favorite dish. Second part? He HAD to send the picture to his brother to make him jealous!

      Reply
  5. Create/Enjoy
    February 29, 2016

    Wow, that does sound (and look) delicious!!!!! I can’t do panko or wheat flour but there are lots of grain-free breadings to try. Beautiful photos!

    Reply
  6. Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama
    March 1, 2016

    Wow. Decadent for sure! This would be a fantastic special occasion dish, especially for a special someone in your life!

    Reply
  7. Chloe | The Paper Airplane
    March 1, 2016

    Beautiful dish!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      March 1, 2016

      Thanks so much Chloe – It’s easy when we have such great fresh seafood here in the Pacific NW!

      Reply
  8. Brettni Brumfield
    March 1, 2016

    That looks phenomenal! Can’t wait to try it out. Pinning it for later. =)

    Reply
    1. Erin
      March 1, 2016

      Thanks Brettni! I hope you love it!

      Reply
  9. Maura
    July 24, 2016

    Served this at a dinner party last night and people were losing their minds! Two people said it was the best fish they had ever eaten. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      July 25, 2016

      I’m so glad to hear that you liked the recipe Maura! It’s a special one to us because it is one of my boyfriend’s most favorite dishes ever.

      Reply
  10. Lisa
    January 18, 2018

    5 stars
    Wonderful Google find! We just stayed in Florence at the Port of Siuslaw and I ordered this for dinner at the Depot. We stopped at the fish market on the way out of town for the ingredients. Glad to find your recipe. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      January 23, 2018

      How cool! Isn’t the Waterfront Depot just the best! I need to get back there soon.

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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