The Easiest Tilapia Recipe that Never Fails

When time is of the essence and you want something healthy and delicious for dinner, this healthy and easy tilapia recipe never fails. It’s one you can make with just a few minutes to spare, and one that makes it possible for you to feel you are eating something that’s a lot fancier than it actually is. It’s not a difficult meal to make, but your family and guests won’t realize that by the presentation and the way that this gorgeous cilantro lime tilapia tastes as it virtually melts in their mouths. The ingredient list is small, the prep time minimal and the cooking time is laughably short. Prepare to make this a regular meal in your household, especially on evenings that find you pressed for time and unwilling to settle for something from an unhealthy drive-thru window.

What You Need

½ cup quinoa

1 cup water

2 tilapia filets

Paprika to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tbsp. lime juice

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

¼ cup cilantro

Start by turning on the stove so that you can boil your water on high heat. When the water begins to boil, add the quinoa and place a cover over the pot, allowing it to cook on medium for about 15 minutes.

Now that the quinoa is cooking, go ahead and start on the tilapia. You’ll need to put a little paprika on both sides of your fish and place it in a pan that’s been sprayed with cooking spray. Cook each piece for 2 or 3 minutes on each side. It should become white and flaky, and that’s when you’re going to remove it and set it aside.

When your quinoa is finished cooking, toss it with the rest of your ingredients and then place the fish on top of the mixture. You can add corn to the mixture if you like a little extra flavor and texture, and you can add your favorite sauce to the top for a bit of additional flavor.

Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images