This baked tilapia recipe is simple and easy to make for dinner. The spice rub is sensational and packed full of flavors.
Jump to:
Why does this recipe work?
- Quick and effortless to make.
- Serve dinner in under 15 minutes.
- Fish is tender, juicy, and spicy.
- Serves great with creamed corn, roasted leeks, creamed spinach, or sauteed green beans.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Add smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin powder, ground pepper, salt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and melted butter to a small bowl.
Step 2: Mix well.
Step 3: Pour or rub evenly over tilapia fish lined up on a baking tray(greased with butter or oil). Bake the fish at 400F for about 10 minutes. Time will vary based on your fish fillet size.
Remove from oven. Garnish with lemon slices, sprinkle parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately. Serve with steamed rice, or quinoa use it to make tilapia fish tacos.
How to bake frozen tilapia fish
- Rinse hard-frozen tilapia in water. Pat dry completely with a paper towel.
- Make a spice rub mix either following the recipe mentioned below or your spice rub. Rub it over frozen tilapia fish.
- Bake it in the oven at 400 F for about 20 to 30 minutes, time will vary depending on the size of your fish fillets. You want to bake frozen tilapia until the fish is browned and turns slightly crisp on the outside.
Ways to serve
Baked fish goes perfectly well with rice like cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice or seasoned rice. To make it a complete meal, serve a veggie on the side like sauteed green beans, roasted broccoli, parmesan potatoes, or sauteed mushrooms.
Storage
Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator. Once cooled completely, store in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
For longer storage, store in the freezer. Arrange baked tilapia on a baking tray in a single layer until frozen. Transfer to an air-tight container or zip-lock bag and freeze for up to a month.
Expert Tips
- A secret tip to preventing the spices from burning in the oven is to add 2 tablespoons of chicken stock to one corner of the tray in between cooking times.
- Use same-size fish fillets for uniform cooking. Cooking time will vary depending on how big the fillets are.
- Garlic, chili, and lemon are the best flavor combo for this recipe. You can customize the flavors by adding other spices or herbs according to preference.
Make ahead instructions
This recipe is great for making ahead. Add spice rub to tilapia fish and store in the refrigerator for a day or two. When ready to serve, simply bake in the oven according to the instructions.
You can also freeze spice-rubbed fish in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe FAQs
Use mild white fish. Tilapia is best. You can also use cod fillets, pollock, or halibut.
Strong-flavored fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna might not work well with the flavors of the marinade.
Using fat while cooking prevents fish from drying. Butter keeps the fish from turning dry. Butter also adds a rich taste to other bland fish.
Use a mix of butter and olive oil.
By inserting a fork in the middle of the which is the thickest part. If the flesh is not translucent, its white and flaky tilapia is cooked.
By inserting a thermometer in the middle of the fish and if the internal temperature measures 140-145 F, the fish is done.
Not necessary. Fish will be cooked on both sides and does not need flipping.
A secret tip to preventing the spices from burning in the oven is to add 2 tablespoons of chicken stock to the tray in between cooking times. It helps keep fish moist. Pouring chicken stock before baking will dilute the spice rub, I recommend you add stock in between cooking.
Other Quick Dinner Recipes
Don’t forget to Subscribe to CurryTrail Recipes below to get our newest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
If you love this recipe, keep in touch, and don’t miss out on any of Currytrail’s recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
📋Garlicky Chili Lemon Baked Tilapia Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tilapia fillets about 1.5 ounce each
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4-5 lemon slices
- 2 tablespoon chicken stock (optional)
For Garnish
- Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Mix smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin powder, ground pepper, salt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic in melted butter.
- Pour it over tilapia fish lined up on baking tray(greased with butter or oil).
- Bake the fish at 400F for about 10 minutes. Time will vary based on your fish fillet size.
- Once done, garnish baked tilapia with finely chopped cilantro and serve immediately with rice or quinoa or couscous.
- Best serve hot.
Video
Notes
- A secret tip to preventing the spices from burning in the oven is to add 2 tablespoons of chicken stock to one corner of the tray in between cooking times.
- Use same-size fish fillets for uniform cooking. Cooking time will vary depending on how big the fillets are.
- Garlic, chili, and lemon are the best flavor combo for this recipe. You can customize the flavors by adding other spices or herbs according to preference.
Nutrition
Created by Jyothi Rajesh
Thank you for stopping by.
I’m Jyothi Rajesh (Jo for short) and I’m the founder of the food blog, Curry Trail where I share my culinary Adventures. I live in Bangalore, India. I’m a mom of two beautiful kids. My passion is creating and sharing delicious and easy recipes for the home cook. I have been blogging since 2007 and many of my recipes have appeared in both online and print publications over the years. Learn more about Jyothi Rajesh.
Comments & Reviews
Anna says
Easy to make and delicious
Jyothi Rajesh says
Thank you Anna. Glad to hear you loved the recipe.
Aylor says
Easy to make and tasted fantastic. Served with white Jasmin rice and whole family loved it.
Jyothi Rajesh says
So glad to hear you loved the recipe Aylor, thank you!
Tiffany George says
Amazing, so simple and easy to make but bursting with so much flavor!
My family and I loved it, this will be in my rotation of favorites!
Thank you for sharing it!
Jyothi Rajesh says
So glad you and your family loved it Tiffany! Thank you for sharing!
Nadine says
Very full of flavor and easy to prepare.
Jyothi Rajesh says
So glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for sharing
Carol Borchardt says
Yum! I’m always on the hunt for great fish recipes to make here at home and for my personal chef clients. This one is definitely going on the must-make list!
jyothirajesh says
Thank you Carol
michelle says
Wow what a great quick meal! This is the perfect balance of speedy, heathy and delicious!
jyothirajesh says
Thank you
Danielle Wolter says
the flavors in this tilapia were great! it was so easy to make and the fish came out super juicy and perfect!
jyothirajesh says
Thank you Danielle
Mahy Elamin says
This is perfect! I love tilapia so I’m definitely going to give this a try ???? Thank you for sharing!
jyothirajesh says
Glad you liked it
Jayashree says
Quick recipes are always needed, this is indeed nice that is done in 15 minutes. It will be ideal for the weekend dinner.
jyothirajesh says
Absolutely.