Description
A vibrant and flavorful sheet pan recipe featuring tender tilapia fillets seasoned with a zesty chili lime spice blend, baked to perfection and served with fresh mango salsa. This easy, healthy meal combines bold Mexican-inspired flavors for a quick dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Tilapia and Seasoning
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 4–6 ounces each)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Mexican oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly minced
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
- 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, halved and thinly sliced
- Extra freshly chopped cilantro for garnish
Serving
- Mango salsa
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and grease a large baking sheet lightly to prevent sticking.
- Make the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, thoroughly combine chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground Mexican oregano, ground cumin, coarse salt, ground black pepper, lime zest, and freshly minced cilantro. This blend will infuse the tilapia with bright, layered flavors.
- Season the Tilapia: Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to ensure the spices adhere well. Generously coat both sides of each fillet with the prepared spice mix. Arrange the fillets evenly on the greased baking sheet. Top each fillet with half of the jalapeno and red chili pepper slices, then add two lime slices per fillet for added zest.
- Bake the Fish: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. The tilapia is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) to confirm it is safely cooked.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the sheet pan from the oven and let the fillets rest for a couple of minutes. Then, garnish with the remaining jalapeno and red chili slices, additional lime slices, and a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve immediately alongside mango salsa for a refreshing contrast.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno and red chili pepper according to your heat preference.
- Use fresh lime zest for the best citrus flavor; avoid using dried lime powder.
- If you don’t have mango salsa, consider serving with fresh pico de gallo or avocado slices.
- Make sure not to overcook the tilapia to keep it moist and tender.
- Internal temperature should reach 145°F for safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approx. 5 oz)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: tilapia recipe, sheet pan dinner, chili lime fish, baked tilapia, healthy seafood, Mexican fish recipe, easy dinner, mango salsa
