Pescado a la Plancha con Arroz Verde y Salsa de Cilantro (Pan-Seared Fish with Green Rice)
Crisp-skinned white fish fillets over fluffy cilantro lime rice with a cool jalapeño cilantro sauce, a quick weeknight dinner.
Made with Cilantro lime rice and Creamy jalapeno cilantro sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.15 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Reheat your ready made cilantro lime rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through. Keep covered.
- 2
Pat the fish dry and season with salt and chilli powder.
- 3
Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the fish, skin side down, for 4 minutes without moving, then turn for 1 to 2 minutes until just opaque.
6 min - 4
Toss the tomato with coriander and a squeeze of lime.
- 5
Spoon the rice onto plates, top with fish and tomato, and finish with your creamy jalapeno cilantro sauce (see the base recipe) and lime wedges.
Tips
- A dry fillet and a hot pan give crisp skin; press down gently for 10 seconds when it first goes in.
- Cook fish until just opaque; it keeps cooking as it rests.
- Reheat rice only once and make sure it is piping hot.
Storing and freezing
Eat the fish straight away. Cool leftover rice within 1 hour and keep in the fridge up to 1 day; reheat only once until steaming hot.
Questions
Which fish works best?
Firm white fish such as sea bass, cod, haddock, hake or monkfish all work.
Can I use frozen fillets?
Yes, thaw them fully in the fridge and pat very dry before cooking.
Is this gluten free?
Yes, provided the rice and seasonings are gluten free. Check any stock or chilli powder labels.
More made with cilantro lime rice
Chuletas de Cerdo a la Plancha con Rajas (Griddled Pork Chops with Pepper Strips)
GFDFEFTofu al Achiote Bowls (Mexican Rice and Bean Bowls)
GFDFEFBrochetas de Pollo Asado con Piña (Chicken and Pineapple Skewers)
GFDFEFCamarones al Chile Colorado (Prawns in Red Chilli Sauce)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.