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.

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.
I forgot the garlic, but still tasted good. Next time I’ll try it with the garlic. Flavor was nice!
Overall good, but should be prepared with care if you don’t want to mess up the fish.
I was skeptical at first, but the flavours really blended well! Will make this again.
I’m glad you liked it! I love how quick and easy this recipe is! 😋
Really? The lime flavor is a bit too strong for me. Not my fav.
So easy to make! I used tilapia and it turned out great! Perfect for a quick dinner.
I dunno, my fish was kinda dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure if I’ll try again.
It took longer than expected to cook. My fish didn’t flake easily. Maybe I overcooked it?
Wow, I thought lime on fish would be weird but it was lit! 🔥
I dunno, I don’t see how lime goes with fish. Seems kinda odd to me. 🤔
I know right?! Lime is like a game changer for fish recipes! Glad you enjoyed it! 😄
Eh, it was ok but I think I added too much lime? 🤷♂️ Not my favorite.
Yummy! The garlic smell while cooking was delightful, and my family loved it!
So glad your family enjoyed it! The garlic really makes everything better. 😊
Why do you put lime on fish? Doesn’t that taste… weird? I’ll stick to butter, thanks.
Quick and easy! I used frozen fish and it still turned out great!
This recipe was amazing! The lime and chilli really brought out the flavor of the fish. Highly recommend!
Not for me. I don’t like fish much, but my mom loved it. 🤷♂️
Too spicy for me! I thought red chilli flakes wud be mild. Needs less hot.
Fish? Yuck! I don’t like seafood, but my husband loves it. He said it was delicious!
I’ve always found fish kinda gross too, but my husband is a huge fan of it. Glad to hear he enjoyed it!
Wasn’t a fan. I think I overcooked the fish or something. It was tough.
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!
Maybe try using a timer? Or just stick to chicken, it can’t be tough!
I don’t know about the red chili flakes. Seems too spicy to me. Might just stick to lemon next time.
I tried it but it was too spicy for my kids. Next time I’ll skip the chilli flakes.
Not bad but fish is fish! 🤔 I prefer it fried or baked.
I think fish taste fishy sometimes, so prob gonna skip this. Not for me.
Short and easy to follow instructions. Saved me time! Recommend for busy nights.
Lime fish good but I wanna try it with chicken instead. Anyone do that?
Is tilapia the same as cod?? LOL. Anyway, used tilapia and it worked out fine. Just don’t overcook it!
Super yummy! I added a bit of honey to balance the tang of the lime, and it turned out amazing! Thanks!
Sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try adding honey too. I love a sweet and tangy combo! 😋
Honey? Really? That seems kinda weird for fish. I don’t know if that would work. 🤔
Simple to make, but honestly, it was a bit bland. Needs more spice. I added some cayenne pepper, helped a bit.
I totally get what you mean! I found it kinda bland too. Next time I’ll try more spices for sure!
Quick and easy recipe, love it! My kids even ate the fish! 😍
I thought it was okay, but my partner didn’t like the spice. Maybe less chilli next time.
I think the spice is what makes it! But maybe try a milder pepper next time.
Less chili? Nah, that sounds boring. Spice it up, that’s what cooking is about!
This was so good! The lime really gave it a fresh taste.
I totally agree! The lime adds such a zesty kick. I made this last week and my family loved it too!
so quick & easy! I can make this after work. Thumbs up!
Sounds easy, but what if the fish sticks to the pan? Not sure about that…
Absolutely! It’s so nice to have a quick recipe for busy days. I loved it!
Good stuff! But really hard to find fresh fish here. Had to use frozen, and it wasn’t the same.
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!
I don’t think lime and fish go well together. Why would you put that together?
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! 🙂
Why is it called chilli lime fish if it don’t have much chilli? Kinda misleading.
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.
5 stars for sure! My kids loved it too, which is rare with fish! 😂
Really? Kids liking fish? That’s hard to believe lol. Fish ain’t for everyone.
That’s awesome! My kids are so picky too, but I’ve been looking for fish recipes they might actually eat. Thanks for sharing!
This was really good! The lime flavor is just right. Will make again! 😋
I’m glad you liked it! The lime really adds a kick! 🌶️
Yum! Fish is good. But I dunno if 200 grams is a lot. Is it?
200 grams is a decent size for a serving! It should be enough for one person. Enjoy your fish!
I tried it, but the fish came out dry. Maybe I cooked it too long?
Not sure if I’ll try again.
Yum! My whole family loved it. Even my picky eater gobbled it up! 😋
So glad to hear that! It’s really great when a recipe pleases everyone, especially picky eaters! 😊
This recipe turned out amazing! The lime gave it such a fresh taste 🎉
It turned out amazing? I’m skeptical! Fish is tricky. Are you sure you didn’t mess something up?
So glad to hear that! Lime really does make everything better. 🌟
Y’all, this dish is bomb! Made it for my fam and they all loved it! So fresh and zesty.
Easy recipe, but I accidentally burnt the garlic. Still tasted alright. 😂
This recipe is a game changer! The fish was so flavorful and easy to make. Will definitely be making it again!
This seems a bit too simple. I worry it might not have enough flavor. Are you sure it was great?
I’m glad you loved it! The lime really does add a nice kick, doesn’t it? 🍋
Easy peasy, but I cooked it too long and it dried out a bit. Still tasted good, I just got carried away.
I did the same thing! It’s so easy to lose track of time. No biggie, just add some sauce next time!
Really? This is the best fish? I got a bad batch of fish and it made everything taste weird. Maybe next time.
This was AMAZING! The flavors were so bright and fresh. Will make again!
This recipe is amazing! The lime flavor really pops with the fish.
Fish + lime = perfect. Made it twice already!
Really? I tried it and thought it was a bit too tangy. Guess it depends on taste?
I totally agree! The lime really brings out the flavor. I always have fish with lime now!
Honestly felt like something was missing. Maybe some herbs?
I totally agree! Some fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley would make it pop! 🌿
I think this could be even better with some cheese on top! Fish plus cheese is the new trend! 🧀🐟
I don’t know about that. Fish is perfect as is. Why ruin it with cheese? 😕
Cheese on fish? That’s crazy! But I guess if you like it, go for it! 🤷♂️