Skillet chili-lime tilapia is an easy, healthy, flavorful way to enjoy fish.
The fish cooks in about 10 minutes, which makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner. I like to serve it with a potato and a simple roasted vegetable. The bold flavors also make this tilapia a great choice for fish tacos.
Elements
Spices: Paprika, parsley, oregano, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper are combined and rubbed into the tilapia fillets.
Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the flavor.
Tilapia Fillets: Tilapia has a mild flavor, making it a good choice for those who don’t love fish. It is also high in protein and other nutrients.
Olive Oil & Butter: Olive oil and butter are combined to sauté the fish.
Lime Juice: Lime juice is added to the oil and butter. The lime flavor offers a nice contrast with the spicy flavors of the rub.
Preparation
You will start by rubbing the spices on the tilapia fillets. This process can be done 30 minutes before cooking or up to 8 hours. I have done it both ways and the spices do their magic either way.
Combine the spices along with the salt and pepper in a small bowl. Then sprinkle each fillet with the spice mixture. Rub both sides of the fish equally with the spices.
Refrigerate the fish until ready to prepare.
Add butter to a large skillet. Melt the butter and add the oil and lime juice. Swirl the skillet to combine the butter, oil, and lime juice. Add the tilapia fillets and cook for five minutes on the first side. Carefully flip and cook for another five minutes until the fish flakes easily.
This tilapia is delicious as a main dish with sides like baked potatoes and broccoli.
Recently, we enjoyed tacos made with skillet chili-lime tilapia topped with chopped cabbage (cole slaw would also be good), avocado, cheese, cilantro, and salsa. I served them with roasted vegetables.
Enjoy this healthy, easy fish dinner.
Skillet Chili-Lime Tilapia
Ingredients
- ⅛ tsp each of paprika, parsley, oregano, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tilapia fillets
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp butter melted
- 2 tsp lime juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all of the spices, including the salt and pepper, and mix well.
- Rub the fillets with the spice mixture. You will use the entire rub to coat them very well. This can be done 30 minutes prior or, preferably, 4-8 hours prior.
- Refrigerate the tilapia until ready to bake.
- When dinnertime rolls around; add olive oil, butter, and lime juice to a large skillet. As the butter melts, swirl the skillet so the oil, butter, and lime juice is evenly mixed.
- Add the tilapia fillets to the skillet and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
- Serve immediately.