Description
Zesty chili-lime cod fillets bring Mexican coastal flavors to dinner tables with bold, tangy excitement. Quick marinades and perfect searing techniques deliver restaurant-quality seafood that promises a delightful culinary escape you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cod fillets
Spice Blend:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) unsalted butter, or ghee for Paleo & Whole30
- Zest and juice of 2 limes
Serving Suggestions:
- Cooked rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
- Your favorite vegetable
Instructions
- Gather the zesty ingredients and prepare a compact spice blend by thoroughly mixing the selected seasonings in a compact vessel.
- Delicately coat the cod fillets with a light olive oil massage, then generously distribute the prepared spice mixture across the fish surface.
- Allow the seasoned fillets to marinate and absorb flavors in the refrigerator, providing ample time for the spices to permeate the protein.
- Heat the oven to an intense 450°F, creating an environment perfect for rapid, even cooking.
- Strategically line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to ensure effortless cleanup and prevent fish from sticking.
- Position the marinated cod fillets on the prepared baking surface, ensuring adequate spacing between pieces.
- Roast the fish for approximately 10-12 minutes, monitoring until the flesh transforms into a flaky, translucent texture that easily separates with gentle pressure.
- While the fish cooks, craft a luxurious lime butter sauce by gently melting butter and olive oil together in a small saucepan.
- Enhance the sauce with vibrant lime zest and freshly squeezed juice, creating a harmonious blend of rich and tangy flavors.
- Transfer the perfectly roasted cod to serving plates, complemented by your preferred accompaniments.
- Drizzle the aromatic lime butter sauce generously over the fish, elevating the dish with a final burst of zesty brightness.
Notes
- Marinate the cod fillets for optimal flavor infusion, allowing the spices to deeply penetrate the fish for up to 12 hours before cooking.
- High-temperature roasting at 450°F ensures a quick, even cook that keeps the cod tender and prevents overcooking.
- Lime butter sauce adds a bright, zesty finish that complements the spice-rubbed fish with a rich, citrusy dimension.
- Foil-lined baking sheet makes cleanup easy and helps prevent the delicate fish from sticking during roasting.
- Check fish doneness by ensuring it flakes easily and appears opaque throughout, which typically takes 10-12 minutes.
- Versatile recipe pairs well with various sides like rice, roasted vegetables, or a light salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 175 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg