Pan-Seared Tilapia with Cilantro Lime Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

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.

Light and flaky pan-seared tilapia fillets served over fluffy cilantro lime rice for a fresh and simple seafood dinner. This Mexican-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs tilapia fillets, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 25 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 (6 oz each) tilapia fillets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup white rice
2 cups water
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
1 clove, minced garlic clove

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Instructions

Step 1: Rinse 1 cup white rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 2: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Fluff rice with a fork, then stir in 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp lime zest, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 minced garlic clove until well combined.
Step 4: Meanwhile, pat 4 tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 5: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 6: Add tilapia fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Step 7: Serve the tilapia fillets hot over the cilantro lime rice for a bright and healthy seafood meal.