This pan grilled tilapia is one of those recipes you can have ready in 25 minutes or less! I've always believe anyone can have a balanced, healthy meal without having to sacrifice flavor, and this recipe here is a great example. For a lot of people, tilapia can be a pretty bland fish. I personally think tilapia is the real chicken of the sea, if you don’t season it well it’ll be bland just like chicken on its own. Here in this recipe I’ll like to show you how a simple mix of spices and the right side dishes can truly make tilapia shine! ✨🐟✨
🥣 Cooking Time: 20-25mins
🍲 Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the tilapia 4 tilapia fillets ½ teaspoon of chipotle powder ½ teaspoon of garlic powder ½ teaspoon of ground cumin 1 teaspoon of salt ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper 1 tablespoon of avocado oil
For the quinoa rice (optional) 1½ cup of Jasmine rice 2 teaspoons of canola oil 1 tablespoon of tricolor quinoa 3 cups of water
½ tablespoon of chicken bouillon (Knorr)
For the orange-mango agua fresca (serves 10-12)✨Bonus✨🤗 3 cups of fresh cut mango 7 cups of fresh orange juice
3 cups of water
Directions
For the tilapia
1. In a large plate or container, place the tilapia fillets and add avocado oil, making sure all fillets are covered. The oil will keep the fish moist, and allow the seasoning to stick.
2. Then season both sides of the fillets with chipotle, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Preheat a good nonstick pan on high heat for about 3 minutes.
4. Turn down the heat to medium then add the fillets to the pan. Place 2-4 fillets on your pan, or fit as many according to the size of your pan without crowding them.
5. Let them cook on one side for about 4 minutes then flip to the other side and let them cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until fully cooked.
6. Repeat the process with the remaining fillets, and serve with lime wedges, pico de gallo, or any side dishes of your choice.
For the quinoa rice
1. First, rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Drain in a colander and set aside.
2. In a medium sauce pan, heat 2 teaspoons of canola oil over medium heat.
3. Add the rice into the pan, toasting it until the rice takes a white-pearl like color.
4. Add water into the rice, and lower the temperature to medium-low.
5. Rinse the quinoa with cold water, then add it into the rice and mix.
6. Add ½ tablespoon of chicken bouillon, stirring the rice and quinoa.
7. Cook on medium-low for 3-4 minutes, stirring it every now and then, until the water comes to a boil.
8. Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the rice to simmer on low for 7-10 minutes.
9. Check it after 7-10 minutes to see if all the water has evaporated. If it has, the rice is ready. If not, replace the lid and let the rice simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat, and allow the rice to continue steaming with the lid on.
10. Once the rice is ready, remove from the heat and fluff with a fork before serving. Remove from the heat, fluff with a fork, and turn out into a serving dish.
For the agua fresca ✨Bonus✨🤗
1. With the help of a blender, blend the mango with 2 cups of orange juice until smooth.
2. Have a large pitcher ready with ice, and mix the remaining orange juice with the blended mango (here I use a pitcher of 1 gallon).
3. Add 3 cups of water, and mix again.
4. Place the pitcher in the fridge, and chill the agua fresca for 30-60 minutes before serving.
Notes
Typically when I prepare my rice I like to toast a clove of garlic, or a piece of onion in the same oil where I brown my rice. This step does not include it within this recipe since it is totally optional, and does not change the final result of the rice at all. I personally add it as this makes the rice more fragrant, and also adds more flavor.
The quinoa that I use here in this recipe is from Trader Joe's. Use tricolor quinoa as it contains different shades of quinoa that stand out in white rice.
The agua fresca here is an easy recipe that you can prepare with any other fruit. In Mexico aguas frescas are beverages made from one or more fruits, cereals, or flowers blended with water, and sometimes a bit of sugar. This extra bonus recipe is a simple idea to accompany a delicious meal, with natural fruit juices. The best thing about agua fresca is that you can select any fruit that is in season, or any favorite fruit.
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