These chipotle tilapia fish tacos are easy to make and packed with fresh flavor. The chipotle cilantro lime sauce is out of this world!
I had to make tacos using my chipotle cilantro lime ranch dressing. It would be a mistake not to.
I figured the ever-popular tilapia fish would be a good choice. Cooking it is fuss-free, and a lot of people enjoy its mild flavor. It doesn't compete with the cabbage and corn slaw, and the chipotle dressing ties everything together in a warm tortilla hug.
As written, this recipe is fairly mild but never bland ;). You can increase the spice level by either making the chipotle ranch dressing spicier (add more adobo sauce/chilis) or by adding some chipotle chili pepper to the tilapia marinade. Or do both.
I've given up on ordering fish tacos in any restaurant I go to because they're always too spicy for me. It's just sad. I've tried to learn to love spice, but it just doesn't agree with me, unfortunately.
I hope you'll love these spicy tilapia tacos!
Will you make these fish tacos?
Questions? Ask in the comments below.

Chipotle Tilapia Fish Tacos
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 8-10 flour or corn tortillas
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper (optional)
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- Chipotle ranch dressing to taste
Slaw:
- 1/4 red cabbage shredded
- 1/2 (12 fluid ounce) can of sweet corn drained
- 2-3 scallions (green parts) chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the fish and marinade ingredients in a large Zip-Loc bag and then place in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to three hours.
- Meanwhile, prepare the chipotle cilanto lime ranch dressing if you haven't already (recipe here).
- When you're almost finished marinading the fish, pre-heat over to 350F and wrap your tacos in foil. You can warm them while you're preparing the rest of the dish.
- Prepare the coleslaw by mixing your red cabbage, corn, scallions, lime juice, olive oil, and salt & pepper. Set aside.
- You can cook the tilapia a couple of different ways. I cooked mine on the BBQ (med. high heat, approx. 4 min. on each side), but it didn't taste drastically different or better than just frying it for a few minutes on each side (depending on thickness). When the fish is ready, it should easily flake with a fork.
- Assemble tacos by adding the cabbage slaw, flaked fish, and chipotle dressing. Serve with extra lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- You can increase the spice level by either making the chipotle ranch dressing spicier (add more adobo sauce/chilis) or by adding some chipotle chili pepper or chili powder to the tilapia marinade.
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
You had me at chipotle cilantro lime sauce – delicious flavor combo! Love the photos too, gorgeous colors!
Natasha says
Thanks Nicole!! 🙂