Southwest Style Tilapia

Dive into the bold and zesty flavors of the Southwest with this easy and delicious Southwest Style Tilapia recipe! Perfectly seasoned with a smoky blend of smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder, these tender tilapia fillets are pan-seared to achieve a beautifully golden, flaky texture. Topped with a vibrant, freshly made lime-cilantro salsa featuring juicy diced tomatoes, red onion, and a hint of jalapeño heat, this dish is a true flavor explosion. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s not only quick but also versatile—serve it with warm corn tortillas for DIY fish tacos or pair it with steamed rice and a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, this Southwest-inspired recipe is your ticket to a healthy, satisfying dinner packed with spice and freshness.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 cups Diced tomatoes
• 0.25 cups Diced red onion
• 1 piece Jalapeño, finely chopped
• 4 pieces Corn tortillas (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Pat the tilapia fillets dry with a paper towel and set aside.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture evenly onto both sides of each tilapia fillet.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Once the oil is hot, add the tilapia fillets to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 6

While the fish is cooking, prepare the salsa by combining the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and chopped cilantro in a bowl. Mix well.

Step 7

Taste the salsa and adjust seasoning with additional lime juice or a pinch of salt if needed.

Step 8

Once the tilapia is cooked, remove it from the heat. Serve hot with the fresh lime-cilantro salsa spooned on top.

Step 9

If desired, serve with warm corn tortillas to make fish tacos or alongside steamed rice and a green salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(854.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1264.2

Total Fat 46.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 228mg	0%
Sodium 1637.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 105.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g	0%
Total Sugars 8.5g
Protein 116.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 294.6mg	0%
Iron 8.1mg	0%
Potassium 2256.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.9%

Protein: 35.8%

Carbs: 32.4%