Coconut-Crusted Mahi Mahi with Lime Cilantro Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Pan-fried mahi mahi encased in a crunchy coconut crust served alongside fragrant lime and cilantro infused rice. This Caribbean recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs mahi mahi fillets, shredded unsweetened coconut, panko breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Ingredients

• 4 fillets (6 oz each) mahi mahi fillets
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large, beaten egg
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse and drain 1 cup jasmine rice. In a medium saucepan, combine rice with 2 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
2. Step 2: In three shallow dishes, place 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 beaten large egg, and a mixture of 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut and 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, seasoned with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
3. Step 3: Pat dry 4 mahi mahi fillets and dredge each first in flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally press into the coconut-panko mixture to coat thoroughly.
4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the crust is golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir in 1 tsp lime zest, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the crispy mahi mahi fillets atop the lime cilantro rice for a fresh and crunchy dish.