Spicy Roasted Pepper Tilapia Skillet (Print Version)

Vibrant tilapia with spicy roasted peppers and aromatic spices in a zesty tomato sauce. Ready in 35 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 oz each)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Roasted Peppers

05 - 2 large red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, and sliced
06 - 1 large yellow bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and sliced
07 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (seeds removed for less heat, if preferred)

→ Aromatics & Sauce

08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
14 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - Juice of 1 lime

# Steps:

01 - Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear tilapia fillets for 2–3 minutes per side until just opaque and lightly golden. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Sauté onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add roasted red and yellow peppers, jalapeño, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and chili flakes. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes to toast the spices.
05 - Add drained diced tomatoes and cook for 4–5 minutes, allowing excess liquid to evaporate and flavors to meld together.
06 - Return tilapia fillets to the skillet, nestling them among the pepper mixture. Spoon sauce over the fish, cover, and let simmer on low heat for 5 minutes until fish is cooked through.
07 - Remove from heat. Drizzle fresh lime juice over the skillet and sprinkle chopped cilantro evenly on top before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted peppers develop this incredible sweetness that balances the heat perfectly
  • Everything happens in one pan, so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The smoked paprika gives it this depth that makes people think you cooked all day
02 -
  • Pat the fish completely dry before seasoning or you will not get that golden crust
  • Drain the tomatoes thoroughly or your sauce will be too watery
  • Let the skillet cool slightly before adding lime juice or the acid will taste harsh
03 -
  • Buy already roasted peppers from the jar to cut preparation time in half
  • The flavors actually improve if the sauce sits for 10 minutes before serving

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