Do you have a quick “go-to” dinner recipe? A fallback for when you arrive home from work uber-exhausted, and just want to whip up something healthy and delicious in a snap?? Well any roommate of mine who’s heard the oil start sizzling in the skillet minutes after I walk in the door will tell you I undoubtedly have a favorite: blackened tilapia. It’s true — I make this all the time, but have yet to ever tire of it!
The beauty of this recipe is that, especially if you can mix together a batch of the blackening powder beforehand to have ready in the cabinet, it truly is super-speedy to cook. And, it’s super-healthy. And, you get a ton of flavor for minimal calories. And…it’s the fish that Jesus ate! :) (Heard our pastor mention a few years back that scholars believe this to be true, since apparently tilapia are plentiful in the Sea of Galilee. Go figure!)
While it can easily stand on its own, you could also serve this recipe topped with creamy sauce to balance out the spice. (For some reason I’ve never been a fan, but know that many are!) Or, it works fantastically in fish tacos or on sandwiches.
My favorite method to turn this into a 10-minute meal, however, is to cut up and stir-fry whatever veggies I have on hand simultaneously in another skillet. Then, cut up some fresh fruit to go on the side – and voila! A very yummy dinner is served. :)
10-Minute Blackened Tilapia
Ingredients
Tilapia filets:
- Vegetable Oil
Blackening Powder Recipe:
- 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika
- 2 tsp. thyme
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients together in a small bowl to create blackening powder. Then moisten the sides of each tilapia filet (either with water or cooking spray), and coat with blackening powder. (I generally use about 1 Tbsp. powder per filet.)
- Heat 1 Tbsp. of oil per filet in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is almost smoking, add filets and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until fish is opaque and can be flaked with a fork. Remove from pan and serve immediately.
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Great recipe! No changes needed! Just like you’d get in a restaurant.
This was the first recipe I clicked on when looking up blackened tilapia, and FRANKLY it has no business being this good for a recipe that was this easy. It is bursting with flavor, and took no time at all. Paired it with some garlic rosemary couscous. Light, flavorful, delicious. This is now a staple in our house.
Everything about this recipe was easy and delicious! Will double or triple recipe and keep it on hand.
Thank you for sharing! The blackened seasoning by far is the best I have ever tried.
This was really good! I didn’t have thyme, but I did have oregano and it worked out just fine. I will be adding this to my meal rotation. Thanks!
Delicious🤗
Let me tell ya, I’m no cook but I nailed this simple yet very delicious recipe, thank you for sharing!!
Real easy to make and I loved it, I’ll definitely have it as one of my go to recipes from now!
This recipe is great! Family loved!! I also added a tsp of Old Bay to add some extra flavor.