I never want to burn Kevin’s mouth because of my overly spicy palette, but I also wasn’t in the mood for something very tame. Thus, this recipe was born as a happy medium. My southwestern chili seafood sauce was born from some leftover sauce packets and couldn’t be easier to make. Read on for my three ingredient recipe.
Chili Seafood Sauce Ingredients
With only three ingredients, you’re looking at a super simple yet tasty dinner.
- Cilantro
- Lime Juice
- One Panda Express Chili Sauce packet
I prefer this tube cilantro because it keeps longer. Highly recommend that one, and the brand Gourmet Garden.
Preparing the Fish
First, blot the fish mostly dry with paper towels. A little dampness is fine, but I apply pressure to the surfaces to ensure the outsides are as dry as possible before applying seasoning. By doing that, the seasoning really sticks and sinks into the fish for a bolder flavor.
When I don’t blot it tastes watered down and sometimes the seasoning just gets washed away. After making my garlic parm tilapia I now blot all fish before seasoning or breading.
Applying the Chili Seafood Sauce
Before we get started, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. To season the fish, first add the cilantro paste. Since mine is in a tube, I dabbed on a little at a time until I felt coverage was good to-taste, using a basting brush for best results.
Pro Tip: A little cilantro will go a long way. Add just a little at a time when applying. This was a little more than Kevin and I would have liked, so I’ll be using slightly less than pictured next time.
Next, I added four drops of lime juice to different parts of the filet and dabbed around further with the baster brush.
Finally, I added the Panda Express Chili Sauce (one packet covered both with extra to spare) which added the majority of flavor. I sprinkled drops on sporadically, similar to the lime juice, and dabbed to spread with the same baster brush.
Place on a baking sheet and cook in the over for 16 minutes. Cook times will vary by oven so keep an eye on your dish.
Serving the Chili Seafood Sauce Dish
Mine was plated with a side of Red Potato Wedges and Onions. Potatoes and fish aren’t exactly a combo I turn to a lot, but it was a solid pairing.
Another solid side dish recommendation would be my Sriracha Aioli Brussels Sprouts. Super easy and packed with healthy goodness.
Have you given this dish a shot? I’d love to hear your thoughts and any alterations in the comments below! My inbox is always open for friends and feedback.
More Food and Recipes
- Smoked Bacon Bomb Recipe
- One Pan Spinach Skillet Lasagna
- Healthier Greek Yogurt Pizza Dough
- Holiday Favorite: Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
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