Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired dish that will transport you to a tropical paradise! This Lime Tilapia with Citrus Avocado Salsa is not just a meal, it's a flavor explosion that combines the delicate, flaky texture of tilapia with a bright, refreshing salsa that will make your palate dance. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that looks impressive, tastes extraordinary, and will have your dinner guests begging for the recipe!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 orange, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve better browning.
- Season both sides of the tilapia fillets generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Squeeze the juice of one lime over the tilapia fillets, allowing the citrus to slightly marinate the fish for 5-7 minutes.
- While the fish marinates, prepare the citrus avocado salsa by combining diced avocado, diced orange, finely chopped red onion, and chopped cilantro in a medium bowl.
- Drizzle the remaining lime juice over the salsa and gently toss to combine. Season the salsa with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the tilapia fillets for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Transfer the cooked tilapia to serving plates and top generously with the prepared citrus avocado salsa.
- Garnish with additional fresh cilantro leaves if desired, and serve immediately while the fish is still warm.
Tips
- Pat the tilapia fillets completely dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh citrus for the most vibrant flavor - bottled lime juice simply can't compare to freshly squeezed.
- Don't overcook the fish! Tilapia cooks quickly and can become tough if left too long in the pan.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of chili flakes to your salsa for a subtle kick.
- Choose ripe but firm avocados to prevent the salsa from becoming mushy.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the fish at its most tender and the salsa at its freshest.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 224kcal
Carbohydrates: 13g
Protein: 24g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 60mg