Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Cilantro Lime Quinoa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Oven-baked salmon fillets coated with a smoky Cajun spice rub, served with fluffy quinoa brightened by fresh cilantro and lime. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp, divided salt
1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
1 cup, rinsed quinoa
2 cups water
2 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the Cajun spice mix.
Step 2: Brush 4 salmon fillets with 2 tbsp olive oil and season evenly with the Cajun spice mix. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
Step 3: While salmon bakes, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for bright flavor.
Step 5: Serve each Cajun-spiced salmon fillet atop a bed of cilantro lime quinoa for a wholesome, flavorful dinner.