Name: Indian Spiced Tilapia In Coconut Milk
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion (slice thinly); 2 tilapia fillets (large (mine were around 3/4 lb total weight)); 3 chilis (I used Thai chilis, or omit for a mild dish); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 inch ginger (peeled and minced); 2 tbsp Indian curry paste (I used Vindaloo paste. You can use whatever paste you fancy!); 7 oz coconut milk (I used 1/2 of a 14 oz can of coconut milk ); 1 tbsp lemon juice; salt (to taste); coriander or green onions (as garnish)

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I love dinners that are easy, quick, delicious and budget friendly. Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk checks every one of those boxes!

Fish really is the original fast food. The tilapia cooks really quickly, however, I like to let it simmer awhile so that the flavors can infuse for a more delicious meal!

What Ingredients Are Needed To Make This Dish?

A very few ingredients are needed to make delicious Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk!

All you will need is:

Olive oil
Tilapia
Chilis (I used Thai chilis -- omit if you prefer a mild dish)
Garlic
Ginger
Onion
Your favorite Indian curry paste! I used Patak’s Vindaloo Curry Paste, but you can use whatever you prefer!
Coconut milk
Lemon juice
Salt to taste

I have included links to the Curry Paste and coconut milk for convenience if you are interested in purchasing on Amazon.

Patak's Vindaloo Curry Paste — I used this curry paste but you can use whatever curry paste you fancy!

Simple, Quick and Easy Prep!

Prepping this dish couldn’t be simpler! You will need to slice an onion, and mince the garlic, ginger and chilis (if using). I love using a small food processor to make easy work of mincing the garlic and ginger. However you can mince by hand if you like.

minced chili, garlic, ginger, and curry paste in a yellow bowl

Simply combine some curry paste with your minced garlic, ginger, and chilis (if using), add some lemon juice to loosen it up, and then you have your paste ready to coat your fish with!

paste for fish in a spoon with a yellow bowl in background

The Easy Method To Cook This Dish

Easy prep is followed by easy method!

You will simply fry the sliced onion in olive oil for a few minutes until golden brown and soft. You’ll then add the fish fillets coated with the spice paste, and fry each side for a couple of minutes.

I used a very nicely seasoned cast iron skillet for this recipe. I do recommend that you use something similar to prevent the delicate fish sticking to the pan. You could also use a nonstick pan as well. 🙂

After frying the fish, add the coconut milk and allow to simmer for around 10 minutes or so, to allow the flavors to infuse. Then add salt to taste.

How To Serve This Delicious Tilapia

I believe this dish is best served with basmati rice, the king of rices! The rice tastes so delicious bathed in the sauce.

I have used both coriander and green onions as garnish. However, you could also serve this along with an incredible salad called Cachumber!

Here are two versions of Cachumber to choose from:

Click the links below the pictures for the Cachumber recipes, or click here!

These salads are the perfect accompaniment to this meal. 🙂 I hope you will try this luscious tilapia! So easy to make it’s a great choice for a delicious weeknight meal!

Indian Spiced Tilapia in Coconut Milk with basmati rice and coriander in a bowl

Here Are Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!

Indian Butter Chicken

Chicken Biryani

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Cheers!

Grace