Chilli Lime Fish Cilantro (Printer-Friendly)

Pan-seared flaky fish with tangy lime sauce, fresh cilantro, and crispy shallots.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 skinless white fish fillets such as cod, snapper, or tilapia, approximately 5.3 oz each
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons rice flour or cornstarch, optional for light crust
05 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Chilli Lime Sauce

06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice from approximately 1 lime
07 - 1 tablespoon fish sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce, use gluten-free if needed
09 - 1 tablespoon honey or palm sugar
10 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
11 - 1 to 2 red bird's eye chillies, finely sliced, adjust to taste
12 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

→ Garnish

13 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
14 - 1/4 cup crispy fried shallots, store-bought or homemade
15 - Extra lime wedges for serving

# Steps:

01 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly dust with rice flour or cornstarch if desired for enhanced crispiness.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, carefully add fish fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to serving platter and keep warm.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, sliced chillies, and grated ginger until well combined.
04 - Wipe out the skillet and pour in prepared sauce. Let bubble for approximately 1 minute to blend and concentrate flavors, then spoon hot sauce generously over cooked fish.
05 - Scatter fresh cilantro and crispy shallots generously over fish. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free when using the right soy sauce.
  • Exploding with authentic Thai-inspired flavors: sour, spicy, salty, and sweet.
  • The perfect balance of tender, flaky fish and crispy toppings.
02 -
  • Use rice flour instead of cornstarch for a lighter, crispier crust that stays crunchy longer.
  • If making your own crispy shallots, thinly slice them and fry in a little oil until just golden; they will continue to crisp as they cool on paper towels.
  • Always use fresh lime juice for the brightest, most authentic flavor profile.
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