This vibrant stew brings together tender tilapia, sweet bell peppers and a luscious coconut milk broth infused with cumin and chili powder. It’s a quick, one-pot meal that feels like a tropical escape, perfect for busy weeknights.
Serve over fluffy jasmine rice and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and a sprinkle of cilantro. Every spoonful is creamy, slightly spicy and bright-a balanced dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
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Recipe details
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Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and dry produce. Halve, peel and finely dice onion. Core, deseed and dice bell pepper into ½-inch pieces. Quarter lime. Finely chop cilantro.
- In a small pot, combine rice, 1¼ cups water (2¼ cups for 4 servings) and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
- While rice cooks, heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pot (large pot for 4 servings) over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, salt and pepper; cook until veggies are softened and lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, pat tilapia dry with paper towels. Dice fish into 1-inch pieces. Place in a medium bowl; season with ½ tsp salt (1 tsp for 4) and toss to coat.
- To pot with veggies, stir in tomato paste, cumin and Fry Seasoning; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Add coconut milk, stock concentrates, ½ cup water and ½ tsp sugar (¾ cup water and 1 tsp sugar for 4 servings). Reduce heat to medium low; cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4-5 minutes.
- Add tilapia to pot. Cook until fish is cooked through, 4-5 minutes. TIP: If stew seems too thick, stir in a splash of water. Turn off heat; gently stir in a squeeze of lime juice, as much chili powder as you like and 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Fluff rice with a fork; season with salt and pepper. Divide rice between bowls. Top with fish stew and garnish with cilantro. Serve with remaining lime wedges.
Recipe Tips
Pat the tilapia dry before dicing to ensure it browns nicely.
If the stew is too thick, add a splash of water to reach desired consistency.
Adjust the chili powder to your preferred spice level.
FAQ
Can I use frozen tilapia for this recipe?
Yes, just thaw it completely and pat dry before cooking.
What can I substitute for coconut milk?
You can use heavy cream or a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream, but the flavor will change.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.





























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