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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. John MacDowall
    August 4, 2018

    How much crab stays in the breadcrumb bowl? Seems like a huge waste.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 4, 2018

      Hi John – Almost all of mine ended up on the fish.

      Reply
  2. Matt R
    September 26, 2018

    5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe! My wife and I are fortunate to live in Florence and Waterfront Depot is one of our favorite restaurants. We just made this with some halibut and crabs that we caught right here. Delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 3, 2018

      So happy to hear that you liked it Matt! You’re so fortunate to have caught the halibut and crabs – jealous!

      Reply
  3. Deb
    January 23, 2019

    5 stars
    This is the best fush I’ve ever had in a restaurant ! I love the servers there, too.
    Thank you for the recipe. I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  4. Deb
    January 23, 2019

    5 stars
    This is the best fish I’ve ever had in a restaurant ! I love the servers there, too.
    Thank you for the recipe. I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  5. Deb
    January 23, 2019

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to make this. I had this at the Waterfront Depot pn Sunday. I did think the cream sauce tasted buttery, but perhaps the cream adds that flavor.

    Reply
  6. Maura
    May 11, 2019

    5 stars
    I have made this for 4 dinner parties now, and it gets rave reviews all the time! I have easily made it gluten free with Gluten free flour and Panko when necessary. Thanks so much for this fantastic recipe!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      May 14, 2019

      I’m so glad that you liked it Maura!

      Reply
  7. SueZanne
    May 12, 2019

    The Waterfront Depot, my favorite restaurant ever… We have been to the Oregon coast 4 times and The Waterfront Depot is a must every time we went. One year we went twice and every time we have the Crab Encrusted Halibut. We live in Utah so we probably won’t be able to make it there again. I have been looking for a recipe for the last couple of years and finally came across yours. We will be trying yours recipe today for Mother’s Day. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      May 14, 2019

      I hope you enjoy SueZanne!

      Reply
  8. Gerry
    March 27, 2020

    5 stars
    Whenever we are going to be in the Florence area an evening at the Waterfront Depot is a must. A number of very good looking things on the menu but have never passed up the halibut. I have made this many times and will again for my wife’s birthday tomorrow night. On the few occasions I have not been able to get crab I have substituted Parmesan cheese and it has still been a hit.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      March 28, 2020

      I love this Gerry! Thanks for sharing the tip on the parmesan!!! Cheers and happy birthday to your wife!!

      Reply
  9. Maura
    August 15, 2020

    5 stars
    I have made this for countless dinner parties now and it always gets rave reviews! Thanks for this fabulous recipe, Erin.

    Reply
  10. Shelby
    August 22, 2020

    Was the crab you used already cooked when you used it in the breading?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      August 26, 2020

      Hi Shelby – Yes! The crab is already cooked.

      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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