Pescado al Chile Colorado (Baked Fish in Red Chilli Sauce)
White fish fillets baked in a red chilli sauce with onion, tomato and lime, served over red rice.
Made with Chile colorado sauce and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.44 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
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
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Toss the onion and tomato slices with the oil in a baking dish and roast for 10 minutes until starting to soften.
10 min - 2
Season the cod with the salt and nestle it among the vegetables. Pour your ready made chile colorado sauce (see the base recipe) over and around the fish and lay the lime slices on top.
- 3
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
17 min - 4
Warm your red rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through.
4 min - 5
Serve the fish and sauce over the rice with coriander and lime wedges.
Tips
- Pick thick fillets so they stay juicy. Thin tail pieces dry out.
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning for a cleaner sauce.
- Spoon sauce over the fish halfway through baking to keep the top moist.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Cool leftovers within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for 1 day. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Which fish works best?
Cod, hake, haddock, pollock or sea bass. Choose a firm white fish that holds together in the sauce.
Can I use frozen fish?
Yes. Defrost fully in the fridge overnight, pat dry and cook as above.
How do I know the fish is cooked?
The flesh turns from translucent to opaque white and flakes easily. The thickest part should be hot all the way through.
More made with chile colorado sauce
Tacos Dorados de Papa con Chile Colorado (Crispy Potato Tacos)
DFEFNFEnchiladas de Queso con Chile Colorado (Red Cheese Enchiladas)
GFEFNFCamarones al Chile Colorado (Prawns in Red Chilli Sauce)
GFDFEFHuevos Ahogados en Chile Colorado (Eggs Poached in Red Chilli Sauce)
DFNFVDouble 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.