Quick Sweet Orange Savory Tilapia Dinner
Rushing home after a long week at work on a Friday night I thought back to the Tilapia I had taken out for dinner that morning. How to prepare? Everyone was tired of the same old blackened fish, so I quickly whipped up some quick sweet orange savory Tilapia dinner!
Since it was the end of the week, I looked to my fridge for inspiration as I wanted to use up any leftover produce that might still be lingering. I pulled out a head each of broccoli and cauliflower with some leftover carrot sticks to make a quick California blend veggie side. I quickly prepped my veggies for a quick cook in chicken broth with salt and pepper.
I also started my yellow rice.
Without hesitation I grabbed my one last Navel Orange and lemon determined to save dinner and not cave to pressure from the family for take-out pizza!
I sprinkled my Tilapia filets with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, ground red pepper, cumin, and brown sugar.
Then I squeezed my Navel orange and lemon juice over my filets!
I put these in the oven on broil for 15 minutes, then took them out to baste in their own juices, and then broiled an additional 5 minutes. These may take less time to cook depending on the size of your filets or how hot your individual oven gets. Check on these halfway through to be sure not to overcook them.
In about 30 minutes, I had plated some gorgeous Tilapia filets on a bed of yellow rice with a fresh side of vegetables. A quick and healthy dinner on a Friday night after a long week of work! The best part is the leftovers can be used as part of our meal prep lunches! Enjoy your Quick Sweet Orange Savory Tilapia Dinner!
Recipe
Quick Sweet Orange Savory Tilapia Dinner
Ingredients
- 4-6 Tilapia filets
- 1 whole Orange
- 1 whole Lemon
- Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, ground red pepper, and brown sugar season to taste
Instructions
- Lay Tilapia filets on a baking sheet. Season one side with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, ground red pepper, cumin, and brown sugar to taste.
- Squeeze the juice of one orange and one lemon over fish filets.
- Broil for 15 minutes then baste with juices, then broil an additional five minutes or until done. Check before the time is up to be sure not to overcook the filets. See notes below.
I followed directions exactly, but after broiling 15 minutes my four tilapia were grossly over cooked. I was so bummed! Do you put it on broil but keep the pan in the middle of the oven? I obviously should have checked it sooner, but got caught up with my side dishes assuming it would be ok since I would need to cook it again after basting.
I'm sorry they didn't turn out! I've added some additional directions to the post based on your feedback. If the filets were thin, or the oven runs hotter than others then it can affect cook time. They need to be checked about halfway through to make sure they don't overcook.
do you have measurements for the spices
I will generally mix together 1/2 teaspoon of each, with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. I hope you enjoy it!
I’d love the recipe for your yellow rice to try with this! Can you share please? I didn’t see it on your website.
I used Vigo yellow rice for this dish. It's super easy to make! I hope you enjoy the fish! 🙂
I have just been diagnosed with Pancreatitis, and have been going crazy trying to find food that I can eat........ this is PERFECT, and SOOO good ! THANK YOU !
You are super welcome! So glad that I could help out! It really warms my heart! 💕
So often we reach for just the lemon, but I love the idea of the orange on this tilapia! Adding oranges to my grocery list now!
Thanks so much! I love combining my citrus flavors!
That is delicious dinner in on that plate, never thought of adding orange juice to Tilapia fillets. I usually make them with spices but next time I will try your version.
Awesome, you’ll love it!
Wow, who would have thought to add orange juice to tilapia filet, that's pure genius! Loving all the citrus flavors and spices in your recipe.
The citrus is great! You will love it!
I love cooking fish when I'm in a rush - it cooks so quickly! And the citrus sounds delicious - this may be the way we eat tilapia the next time.
It's truly delish, and so quick to prepare! Easy on a weeknight is something I always love!
I haven't had tilapia in ages! But I love it, cause it's such a mild white fish. Loving the flavors you have in this one, will have to try it for sure
Thanks, it’s a great flavor combo!
Fish is such a great protein to work with. Easy and delicious any night of the week. That sauce sounds so delicious...and I know it would well on salmon too.
That’s a great idea!
I think so, too!
What a delicious QUICK SWEET ORANGE SAVORY TILAPIA! I simply cannot wait to try it! Very interesting combination of ingredients. I am saving this recipe for later.
Enjoy! Hope you really like it!
My son was just asking me when am I going to make seafood again and here pops a new recipe for me to try. This looks like it just may be dinner tonight! Thanks for the recipe!
My son loved it! I'm sure yours will as well!
Love the sweet orange glaze on the fish and that dinner is something I would love to come home to. Looks delicious and the bonus, it is so quick to put together!
Super easy and quick to put in the table as you say! I may make this again tonight myself!
I love using citrus, especially on dishes like this! what a great blend of flavors!
Thanks!
This looks delicious! I love tilapia, especially in the summer.
It’s a great light meal for the summer!
I just made tilapia this week but your version looks spectacular! That orange, lemon, and brown sugar! YUM!!
It had a great crust and flavor!
This looks like a really delicious dinner! Great recipe.
Thanks, hope you enjoy!
This tilapia sounds delicious! I just made some the other night and wasn't super happy with how it turned out, but the orange in this sounds perfect! Giving your recipe a try next time!
Thanks, you definitely won't be disappointed!
The orange gives a great extra layer of flavor!
I use tilapia for fish tacos regularly, but I'm loving the orange glaze on these fillets -- plus the fact that you're cooking them all in the oven! Delish!
Thanks! It's a versatile fish, and this dish is easy to make in the oven!