Spicy Roasted Pepper Tilapia Skillet (Printable Version)

Flavor-packed tilapia with roasted peppers and aromatic spices, ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (approximately 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 milder heat if desired)

→ 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

# How To Make:

01 - Pat tilapia fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper, pressing gently to adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place fillets in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until just opaque and lightly golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add additional olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Sauté sliced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add roasted red and yellow peppers, sliced jalapeño, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and chili flakes to the skillet. Stir continuously and cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
05 - Pour in drained diced tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, allowing excess liquid to evaporate and flavors to meld into a thick sauce.
06 - Return seared tilapia fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the pepper mixture. Spoon sauce over the fish, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes until fish is cooked through.
07 - Remove from heat. Drizzle fresh lime juice evenly over the dish and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tilapia soaks up all those smoky pepper flavors without overpowering the delicate fish
  • It comes together in one pan and tastes like something you would order at a fancy restaurant
  • You can easily adjust the heat level to please everyone at your table
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing the fish or it will steam instead of getting that nice golden exterior
  • Let the skillet cool slightly before adding the lime juice or it will evaporate before hitting the food
  • Tilapia cooks fast so watch it carefully, overcooked fish becomes rubbery and disappointing
03 -
  • Roast your own peppers instead of buying jarred ones for deeper flavor and better texture
  • Let the fish come to room temperature before cooking for more even results

Go Back