This is the Best TILAPIA Recipe you will ever make!
This is the Best TILAPIA Recipe you will ever make! is a easy American (Southwestern) recipe that serves 2. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking Con Claudia on YouTube.
Prep: 19 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 39 min
Cost: $14.40 total, $7.20 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil (for sautéing and finishing the fish)
- 0.25 medium Onion (diced small)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 4 pods New Mexico Chile Pods (cleaned, stems removed, sliced thin)
- 2 pieces Chipotle Chilies in Adobo Sauce (canned, drained)
- 5 tablespoons Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce (or any liquid seasoning)
- 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise (regular or light)
- 1 teaspoon Mustard (dry mustard or Dijon)
- to taste Salt (preferably kosher or sea salt)
- to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 pieces Tilapia Fillets (about 6 oz each, skinless)
- 4 slices Lemon (for garnish)
Instructions
Dice onion and mince garlic
Dice the quarter onion into small pieces and mince the four garlic cloves.
Time: PT5M
Prepare the chilies
Remove stems from the New Mexico chile pods, slice them thin, and set aside. Drain the chipotle chilies from the adobo sauce.
Time: PT3M
Blend the marinade
In the blender cup combine the sliced New Mexico chilies, chipotle chilies, lime juice, soy sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
Time: PT4M
Pat the tilapia dry
Using paper towels, pat the tilapia fillets dry on both sides to remove excess moisture.
Time: PT2M
Marinate the fish
Spread half of the blended marinade on both sides of each fillet. Let the fish rest for 5–10 minutes so the flavors penetrate.
Time: PT5M
Sauté aromatics
Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: medium
Quick‑fry the chilies
Add the sliced New Mexico chilies to the skillet and fry for 5–10 seconds per side until they soften and release aroma.
Time: PT1M
Temperature: medium
Heat the pan for fish
Add a little more oil to the same skillet and increase heat to medium‑high until the oil shimmers.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
First side of tilapia
Place the marinated tilapia fillets in the skillet, skin‑side down if present, and cook for 2 minutes without moving.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Flip and add more marinade
Flip the fillets, brush the top with the remaining marinade, and cook another 2 minutes.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Finish cooking
Flip the fillets one final time and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Garnish and serve
Transfer the tilapia to a serving plate, garnish with lemon slices, and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbohydrates
- 5 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Free (use tamari), Dairy‑Free, Low‑Carb, Pescatarian
Allergens: Fish, Egg, Soy
Last updated: April 17, 2026








