Chilli Lime Fish Cilantro (Printer-friendly)

Flaky fish fillets finished with tangy chilli lime sauce, fresh cilantro, and crispy shallots in a Thai-inspired style.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 skinless white fish fillets such as cod, snapper, or tilapia, approximately 5.3 ounces 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, 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

# Directions:

01 - Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and pepper. Lightly dust with rice flour or cornstarch if desired for extra crispiness.
02 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the fish fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a serving platter and keep warm.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the 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 the prepared sauce. Let it bubble for approximately 1 minute to blend the flavors, then spoon the hot sauce generously over the cooked fish.
05 - Scatter fresh cilantro and crispy shallots generously over the sauced fish. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, yet tastes like restaurant-quality elegance that'll impress anyone at your table.
  • The sauce is so vibrant and alive it makes you feel like you're eating something actually good for you while also being completely craveable.
  • White fish stays delicate and tender when treated gently, and this method respects that without being fussy about it.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan or move the fish around—it needs calm, undisturbed heat to develop that beautiful golden exterior that holds the sauce.
  • The sauce tastes raw and sharp when you first whisk it, but one minute of gentle heating transforms it into something rounded and integrated that actually complements the fish rather than attacking it.
03 -
  • Make your crispy shallots ahead of time if you can—one less thing to juggle during that crucial searing moment, and they'll stay crispy in a sealed container for days.
  • Fresh lime juice really does matter here; if you only have bottled, reduce the amount slightly since bottled is more acidic and concentrated.
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