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!
Very good and is my 2nd time making Blackened Fish. I must cook again soon. Very soon. Today I made toast tacos and tomorrow, something. Healthy and lite.
This turned out amazing!! Two thumbs up!!!!
Tried this tonight. Was really good but needs a bit of heat IMHO but good. Fried some and baked some cause we rarely eat anything fried. Both came out awesome! Definitely will be doing this again!
Great recipe and so easy! I’ve started making this at least once a week! Great way to enjoy fish in my diet. I used sesame oil instead of vegetable oil.
Awesome – fast and tasty! Everyone (family) ate it and liked it. Thanks.
This is one of my new fav recipes. I added mine on top of a salad and it was incredible!
Absolutely phenomenal. The only thing I was missing was onion powder – that tin at the back of my cabinet had long since expired. I will definitely be making this again during Lent.
Added a tsp or old bay and it was perfect!
Only had regular paprika, omitted salt and used olive oil instead of vegetable oil which caused too much smoke but fish turned out delicious! Only needed about 2 minutes on the 2nd side
I’m always looking for new and different ways to eat healthy. This recipe did not disappoint. Thank you, my husband and enjoyed this very much.