Blackened Tilapia With Cilantro Lime Sauce

Blackened Tilapia with Cilantro Lime Sauce – bursting with flavor, this easy-to-make meal cooks in 10 minutes! 

Coming from New Orleans, I am quite familiar with blackened fish because it can be found on just about every menu in the city.  The name comes from the bold rub that fragrantly flavors the fish and becomes dark, or blackened when it cooks.

Since my husband and I are watching our carbs, I served our tilapia over roasted asparagus.  For our daughter, I served hers on a tortilla and garnished with the sauce, cheese, and avocado slices.  

Why This Recipe Works

• This meal is such an easy one to prepare and comes together in just 10 minutes.
• It’s healthy, low in calories and so flavorful.
• I make a quick, creamy cilantro lime sauce in my food processor that compliments the spiciness of the fish.

Ingredient Notes

See recipes box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

• Creamy cilantro lime sauce ingredients: Plain greek yogurt (or sour cream), cilantro, lime juice, chili flakes and salt.
• Seasonings: Smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, salt and black pepper.
• Tilapia: I used 4 tilapia fillets.
• Oil: I use canola oil, but vegetable oil works just fine.
• Tortilla (optional): If you wanted to make fish tacos, flour or corn tortillas would be perfect.
• Avocado (optional): As an optional topping.

How To Make This Recipe

For the rub: I use a combination of smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.  I mix the spices together and rub the mixture onto both sides of the tilapia.  Then, I place the fillets in a large skillet and cook for about 3 minutes per side.

For the creamy cilantro lime sauce: Combine the greek yogurt (or sour cream), cilantro, lime juice, chili flakes and salt in a food processor; process until smooth.

Expert Tips

• If your fish is frozen, allow enough time for it to thaw, covered, in the refrigerator. For faster thawing, transfer the fish to a resealable plastic bag and submerge in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
• If you don’t have any tortillas on hand and you would like to make your own, you can follow our small batch Flour Tortillas recipe on our One Dish Kitchen site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Blackened Seasoning?

Blackened seasoning is a flavorful combination of seasonings used to create a delightful crust on fish, chicken, and other meats. I use a combination of smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.  

What Wine Pairs Well With Blackened Tilapia?

The blackened tilapia pairs well with a light red wine such as a Pinot Noir. If you prefer white wine, try a light Sauvignon Blanc.

Serving Suggestions

• Tortillas
• Skinny Margarita
• Guacamole
• Tres Leches Cake
• White Rice

Enjoy!