Rating: 3.54
(82)

Chilli Lime Fish

March 11, 2025

Chilli Lime Fish is a zesty and flavorful dish perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. The combination of the mild heat from the chilli and the tangy brightness of lime creates a refreshing balance that enhances the natural taste of the fish.

Chili lime fish is a dish that delivers bold flavor with minimal effort, perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend meals that feel a little more special. The combination of spicy chili and tangy lime brings a refreshing, zesty twist to mild, flaky fish like cod, tilapia, or snapper. The fish is typically marinated or brushed with a mixture of lime juice, zest, chili flakes or fresh chili, garlic, and a touch of olive oil, allowing it to absorb all those vibrant flavors before being baked, grilled, or pan-seared.

What makes this dish so appealing is its balance of heat and acidity. The lime cuts through the richness of the fish while enhancing its natural sweetness, and the chili adds just the right amount of kick without overpowering the other elements. The result is a bright and flavorful dish that feels light and satisfying, perfect for warmer months or whenever you’re craving something fresh.

Chili lime fish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. It’s excellent served with a simple rice pilaf, quinoa, or a colorful vegetable medley. A crisp cabbage slaw or avocado salad on the side can add texture and contrast, while a scoop of mango salsa or a dollop of yogurt sauce can help mellow the heat. The vibrant flavors also make it a great choice for tacos or rice bowls, where the fish can be flaked and layered with other bold toppings.

Whether you’re looking for a quick 20-minute dinner or something that feels restaurant-worthy at home, chili lime fish delivers on all fronts. It’s healthy, full of flavor, and endlessly adaptable to your pantry and taste preferences.

Chilli Lime Fish
Chilli Lime Fish
3.54 from 82 votes
Chilli Lime Fish is a zesty and flavorful dish perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. The combination of the mild heat from the chilli and the tangy brightness of lime creates a refreshing balance that enhances the natural taste of the fish.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 200 grams white fish fillet such as cod or tilapia
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
  • Season the fish fillet with salt and black pepper.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Carefully place the seasoned fish fillet in the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
  • In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, lime zest, and red chilli flakes.
  • Pour the lime mixture over the cooked fish and let it simmer for an additional 1 minute.
  • Remove the fish from the pan and serve immediately, garnished with additional lime slices if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 35gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 500mgVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 4mg
Calories: 250kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: cooking, fish, recipe
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. 3 stars
    I forgot the garlic, but still tasted good. Next time I’ll try it with the garlic. Flavor was nice!

  2. User avatar ferdinand.wehner67 says:

    3 stars
    Overall good, but should be prepared with care if you don’t want to mess up the fish.

  3. User avatar torri.wyman57 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical at first, but the flavours really blended well! Will make this again.

    1. User avatar porsha.sipes says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you liked it! I love how quick and easy this recipe is! 😋

    2. User avatar anne.murray48 says:

      2 stars
      Really? The lime flavor is a bit too strong for me. Not my fav.

  4. User avatar marline.parker79 says:

    4 stars
    So easy to make! I used tilapia and it turned out great! Perfect for a quick dinner.

  5. User avatar steve_maga says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, my fish was kinda dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure if I’ll try again.

  6. 2 stars
    It took longer than expected to cook. My fish didn’t flake easily. Maybe I overcooked it?

  7. User avatar ardelle.weissnat17 says:

    4 stars
    Wow, I thought lime on fish would be weird but it was lit! 🔥

    1. User avatar monte.brekke6 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, I don’t see how lime goes with fish. Seems kinda odd to me. 🤔

    2. User avatar jerrell.hagenes27 says:

      5 stars
      I know right?! Lime is like a game changer for fish recipes! Glad you enjoyed it! 😄

  8. 3 stars
    Eh, it was ok but I think I added too much lime? 🤷‍♂️ Not my favorite.

  9. User avatar rodrick.schmidt90 says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! The garlic smell while cooking was delightful, and my family loved it!

    1. User avatar hayley.murray14 says:

      5 stars
      So glad your family enjoyed it! The garlic really makes everything better. 😊

  10. 1 star
    Why do you put lime on fish? Doesn’t that taste… weird? I’ll stick to butter, thanks.

  11. User avatar tamekia.bogan1971 says:

    4 stars
    Quick and easy! I used frozen fish and it still turned out great!

  12. User avatar mathWizard says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was amazing! The lime and chilli really brought out the flavor of the fish. Highly recommend!

  13. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    2 stars
    Not for me. I don’t like fish much, but my mom loved it. 🤷‍♂️

  14. User avatar laine.kirlin17 says:

    2 stars
    Too spicy for me! I thought red chilli flakes wud be mild. Needs less hot.

  15. User avatar bo.larkin43 says:

    4 stars
    Fish? Yuck! I don’t like seafood, but my husband loves it. He said it was delicious!

    1. User avatar sharee.murphy39 says:

      4 stars
      I’ve always found fish kinda gross too, but my husband is a huge fan of it. Glad to hear he enjoyed it!

  16. 1 star
    Wasn’t a fan. I think I overcooked the fish or something. It was tough.

    1. User avatar inger.willms says:

      4 stars
      Cooking fish can be tricky! Make sure to keep an eye on it and try reducing the time next time. You’ll get it right!

    2. User avatar lewis.cummerata34 says:

      2 stars
      Maybe try using a timer? Or just stick to chicken, it can’t be tough!

  17. User avatar salome.tillman88 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t know about the red chili flakes. Seems too spicy to me. Might just stick to lemon next time.

  18. User avatar christi.hauck says:

    3 stars
    I tried it but it was too spicy for my kids. Next time I’ll skip the chilli flakes.

  19. User avatar reginia.luettgen89 says:

    2 stars
    Not bad but fish is fish! 🤔 I prefer it fried or baked.

  20. User avatar sonya.hayes says:

    1 star
    I think fish taste fishy sometimes, so prob gonna skip this. Not for me.

  21. User avatar brendan.cruickshank34 says:

    4 stars
    Short and easy to follow instructions. Saved me time! Recommend for busy nights.

  22. User avatar lee.fay1951 says:

    4 stars
    Lime fish good but I wanna try it with chicken instead. Anyone do that?

  23. User avatar steve_maga says:

    4 stars
    Is tilapia the same as cod?? LOL. Anyway, used tilapia and it worked out fine. Just don’t overcook it!

  24. User avatar sasha.koch says:

    4 stars
    Super yummy! I added a bit of honey to balance the tang of the lime, and it turned out amazing! Thanks!

    1. 5 stars
      Sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try adding honey too. I love a sweet and tangy combo! 😋

    2. User avatar david.kertzmann says:

      2 stars
      Honey? Really? That seems kinda weird for fish. I don’t know if that would work. 🤔

  25. 3 stars
    Simple to make, but honestly, it was a bit bland. Needs more spice. I added some cayenne pepper, helped a bit.

    1. User avatar kristofer.koepp says:

      4 stars
      I totally get what you mean! I found it kinda bland too. Next time I’ll try more spices for sure!

  26. User avatar marsha.raynor86 says:

    5 stars
    Quick and easy recipe, love it! My kids even ate the fish! 😍

  27. 3 stars
    I thought it was okay, but my partner didn’t like the spice. Maybe less chilli next time.

    1. User avatar scottie.erdman1970 says:

      4 stars
      I think the spice is what makes it! But maybe try a milder pepper next time.

    2. User avatar soraya.doyle39 says:

      2 stars
      Less chili? Nah, that sounds boring. Spice it up, that’s what cooking is about!

  28. User avatar claretha.greenfelder says:

    5 stars
    This was so good! The lime really gave it a fresh taste.

    1. User avatar Deep Thought says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! The lime adds such a zesty kick. I made this last week and my family loved it too!

  29. User avatar Shadout Mapes says:

    5 stars
    so quick & easy! I can make this after work. Thumbs up!

    1. User avatar Jackie Green says:

      2 stars
      Sounds easy, but what if the fish sticks to the pan? Not sure about that…

    2. 5 stars
      Absolutely! It’s so nice to have a quick recipe for busy days. I loved it!

  30. User avatar rodger.reinger32 says:

    2 stars
    Good stuff! But really hard to find fresh fish here. Had to use frozen, and it wasn’t the same.

    1. User avatar jessie.kulas says:

      4 stars
      Yeah, frozen fish can be a bit iffy. You could try looking at different stores or maybe even a local fish market? They’re sometimes hidden gems!

  31. User avatar melina.barton65 says:

    1 star
    I don’t think lime and fish go well together. Why would you put that together?

    1. User avatar Arthur Philip Deodat says:

      4 stars
      I understand your concern! But lime adds a nice tang that can really elevate the flavor of the fish. Give it a try before you knock it! 🙂

  32. User avatar veronika.zieme1954 says:

    2 stars
    Why is it called chilli lime fish if it don’t have much chilli? Kinda misleading.

  33. User avatar angel.armstrong35 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know about this… I feel like fish and lime just dont go together. Gave it a shot but it was too sour for my taste.

  34. 5 stars
    5 stars for sure! My kids loved it too, which is rare with fish! 😂

    1. User avatar jody.reinger5 says:

      2 stars
      Really? Kids liking fish? That’s hard to believe lol. Fish ain’t for everyone.

    2. 5 stars
      That’s awesome! My kids are so picky too, but I’ve been looking for fish recipes they might actually eat. Thanks for sharing!

  35. User avatar Pizpot Gargravarr says:

    5 stars
    This was really good! The lime flavor is just right. Will make again! 😋

    1. User avatar ludivina.rath says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you liked it! The lime really adds a kick! 🌶️

  36. User avatar Michael83 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Fish is good. But I dunno if 200 grams is a lot. Is it?

    1. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

      5 stars
      200 grams is a decent size for a serving! It should be enough for one person. Enjoy your fish!

  37. 2 stars
    I tried it, but the fish came out dry. Maybe I cooked it too long?
    Not sure if I’ll try again.

  38. User avatar albertha.barrows50 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My whole family loved it. Even my picky eater gobbled it up! 😋

    1. User avatar Restless Draugr says:

      5 stars
      So glad to hear that! It’s really great when a recipe pleases everyone, especially picky eaters! 😊

  39. User avatar inge.von78 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe turned out amazing! The lime gave it such a fresh taste 🎉

    1. User avatar cami.pagac1984 says:

      2 stars
      It turned out amazing? I’m skeptical! Fish is tricky. Are you sure you didn’t mess something up?

    2. 5 stars
      So glad to hear that! Lime really does make everything better. 🌟

  40. User avatar marisa.romaguera says:

    5 stars
    Y’all, this dish is bomb! Made it for my fam and they all loved it! So fresh and zesty.

  41. User avatar Winona Crona says:

    4 stars
    Easy recipe, but I accidentally burnt the garlic. Still tasted alright. 😂

  42. User avatar shae.veum13 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is a game changer! The fish was so flavorful and easy to make. Will definitely be making it again!

    1. User avatar Uh Shenlong says:

      2 stars
      This seems a bit too simple. I worry it might not have enough flavor. Are you sure it was great?

    2. User avatar oPandariaNo says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you loved it! The lime really does add a nice kick, doesn’t it? 🍋

  43. User avatar Blue Dartwing says:

    3 stars
    Easy peasy, but I cooked it too long and it dried out a bit. Still tasted good, I just got carried away.

    1. 4 stars
      I did the same thing! It’s so easy to lose track of time. No biggie, just add some sauce next time!

  44. 1 star
    Really? This is the best fish? I got a bad batch of fish and it made everything taste weird. Maybe next time.

  45. User avatar Samwise Gamgee says:

    5 stars
    This was AMAZING! The flavors were so bright and fresh. Will make again!

  46. 5 stars
    This recipe is amazing! The lime flavor really pops with the fish.

  47. User avatar carrol.mills2015 says:

    4 stars
    Fish + lime = perfect. Made it twice already!

    1. 3 stars
      Really? I tried it and thought it was a bit too tangy. Guess it depends on taste?

    2. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! The lime really brings out the flavor. I always have fish with lime now!

  48. 2 stars
    Honestly felt like something was missing. Maybe some herbs?

    1. User avatar mary.boyer88 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! Some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley would make it pop! 🌿

  49. 3 stars
    I think this could be even better with some cheese on top! Fish plus cheese is the new trend! 🧀🐟

    1. User avatar suzy.collier22 says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know about that. Fish is perfect as is. Why ruin it with cheese? 😕

    2. User avatar paige.wisoky33 says:

      3 stars
      Cheese on fish? That’s crazy! But I guess if you like it, go for it! 🤷‍♂️

3.54 from 82 votes
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