Puerto Rican-Style Fried Fish with Lime

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

Crispy fish fillets coated in a smoky spice blend, served with fresh lime and cilantro for bright, vibrant flavor. This Puerto Rican-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs fish fillets, all-purpose flour, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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

• 1.5 lbs (cod or snapper), cut into 1-inch pieces fish fillets
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, cut into wedges lime
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs fish pieces dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika. Dredge fish pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add fish pieces in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Transfer fish to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Squeeze 1 lime wedge over each piece and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.