Spicy Tilapia

Transform your weeknight dinners with this Spicy Tilapia recipe—a perfect blend of bold spices and zesty citrus flavors! Featuring tender tilapia fillets coated in a smoky rub made with paprika, chili powder, cumin, and a hint of cayenne, this dish brings just the right amount of heat to your table. A splash of fresh lemon juice enhances the flavor, while a quick pan-fry in olive oil creates a beautifully golden, flaky fish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Topped with optional fresh cilantro and served with lemon wedges for a tangy finish, this quick and healthy seafood recipe is ideal for busy evenings or casual entertaining. Whether paired with rice, a crisp salad, or roasted vegetables, this flavorful tilapia dish is sure to become a dinner favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Tilapia fillets
• 2 teaspoons Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (chopped, optional for garnish)
• 4 pieces Lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Pat the tilapia fillets dry using paper towels and place them on a clean plate.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the tilapia fillets, gently pressing to ensure the seasonings adhere to the fish.

Step 4

Drizzle the fillets with lemon juice, ensuring they are evenly coated.

Step 5

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

Step 6

Once the oil is hot, place the tilapia fillets into the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 7

Cook the fillets for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown, then carefully flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until the fish is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 8

Remove the fillets from the skillet and transfer them to a serving plate.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(536.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	838.5

Total Fat 40.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 228mg	0%
Sodium 1461.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 16.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.0g	0%
Total Sugars 4.4g
Protein 106.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 118.0mg	0%
Iron 5.9mg	0%
Potassium 1909.3mg	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: 42.4%

Protein: 49.7%

Carbs: 7.9%