Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering journey that will transform your dinner table into a vibrant Mexican restaurant experience! This Tilapia en Salsa de Cilantro recipe is not just a meal—it's a flavor explosion that will tantalize your taste buds and impress even the most discerning food lovers. With its perfect balance of fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and perfectly seared tilapia, this dish promises to be your new go-to recipe for a quick, delicious, and impressive dinner that takes just 35 minutes to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Tilapia fillets
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red onion
Instructions
- Rinse the tilapia fillets under cold water and pat them completely dry using paper towels to ensure proper seasoning and browning.
- Finely chop fresh cilantro leaves and set aside. Mince garlic cloves and thinly slice red onion into delicate rings.
- Season tilapia fillets generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and becomes fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully place seasoned tilapia fillets into the hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes on each side until fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork.
- While fish is cooking, prepare cilantro sauce by combining chopped cilantro, minced garlic, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
- Once tilapia is cooked, remove from skillet and transfer to serving plates.
- Drizzle prepared cilantro sauce over the fish and garnish with thinly sliced red onion rings.
- Serve immediately while fish is hot, accompanied by rice, salad, or your preferred side dish.
Tips
- Pat the tilapia fillets completely dry before seasoning to ensure a beautiful golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh cilantro for the most vibrant and authentic flavor—dried herbs simply can't compare.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking the fish; this ensures each fillet gets crispy and browns evenly.
- For an extra flavor boost, let the seasoned fish sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking.
- The key to perfect tilapia is not overcooking—look for a golden exterior and fish that flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately after drizzling the cilantro sauce to enjoy the brightest, freshest flavors.
- Experiment with side dishes like Mexican rice, black beans, or a crisp salad to complement the fish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 240kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 60mg
