Spicy Grilled Tilapia W Creamy Grits or Rice and Mushroom Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this Spicy Grilled Tilapia with Creamy Grits or Rice and Mushroom Sauce—a flavorful dish that seamlessly balances heat, comfort, and sophistication. Tender tilapia fillets are seasoned with a smoky, spicy blend of paprika, cayenne, and garlic, then grilled to flaky perfection. Choose between velvety, Parmesan-infused grits or fragrant rice cooked in rich broth as the base for your meal. To top it all off, a luscious mushroom sauce, infused with earthy thyme and creamy notes, adds a gourmet touch. Perfect for seafood lovers, this recipe is ideal for a flavorful family dinner or an elegant dinner party centerpiece. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley for a zesty, vibrant finish.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Quick-cooking grits (or long-grain rice if preferred)
• 4 cups Water
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups Mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or button)
• 1 piece Shallot, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup Chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup Milk
• 4 pieces Lemon wedges (for serving)
• 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Step 2

Pat dry the tilapia fillets with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Brush both sides of the tilapia fillets with olive oil and evenly sprinkle the spice mixture on top.

Step 4

Grill the tilapia fillets for 3-4 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and flaky. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

If using grits: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the grits and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in heavy cream, unsalted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Step 6

If using rice: Cook the rice according to package instructions, substituting water for chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor. Once cooked, fluff with a fork and keep warm.

Step 7

To prepare the mushroom sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced shallot until translucent, about 2 minutes.

Step 8

Add the sliced mushrooms and thyme to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until softened and browned.

Step 9

Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Step 10

Gradually stir in the chicken or vegetable broth and milk, whisking to combine. Simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 11

To serve, divide the grits (or rice) among plates. Top with a grilled tilapia fillet.

Step 12

Spoon the mushroom sauce over the fish and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2422.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2554.2

Total Fat 115.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 52.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 441.0mg	0%
Sodium 3936.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 223.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.2g	0%
Total Sugars 13.9g
Protein 142.8g	0%

Vitamin D 69.7IU	0%
Calcium 572.3mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 2887.4mg	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: 41.6%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 35.6%