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Chipotle-Lime Cabbage Fish Tacos

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Fish tacos are summertime-perfect, easy and cravable without being too heavy for a hot evening on the porch. We’re making a super-simple cabbage slaw and an even easier sauce and sticking the fish in the oven because nobody wants to stand over a hot stove. Pour yourself a margarita, sit back, and congratulate yourself on getting the best fish tacos ever on the table in thirty minutes.

I come back to this recipe again and again because it’s just so dang simple and delicious. I usually have most of the ingredients already and it satisfies my all-the-time craving for Mexican food. By mid-summer, I’ll have a big batch of the slaw and sauce ready in the fridge, just waiting for those days we come back after a long day in the sun and want food now. This is the answer to those cravings.

Chipotle-Lime Cabbage Fish Tacos

I’m cringing every time I write ‘slaw’… because I do not want anything resembling picnic-mayo-smothered coleslaw on my tacos (or, frankly, on my plate ever). This is so much better. Fresh crunchy cabbage, red onion, cilantro, and spicy jalapeno are dressed with a little red wine vinegar and olive oil, just enough to soften the cabbage.

This is a cravable salad on its own. There have been many times after I run out of tortillas (see above, when this becomes a fridge staple) when I make a giant bowl of this cabbage slaw, top it with the chipotle-lime sauce, and call it lunch. No regrets.

Chipotle-Lime Cabbage Fish Tacos

The easiest way to ‘fry’ corn tortillas without being greasy is just spraying a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and giving the tortillas a half minute on each side over high heat. If you’re cooking for a crowd and need lots of tortillas ready at once, arrange the tortillas on baking rack and spray lightly with cooking spray. Stick them under the broiler, keep a close eye on them, and pull them out when golden-brown spots appear.

Serve with extra hot sauce, because some of us just don’t know when to stop.



Print Recipe

Chipotle-Lime Cabbage Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are summertime-perfect: simple cabbage slaw, zesty chipotle-lime sauce, & cajun-spiced tilapia.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 8 tacos
Calories: 152kcal
Author: Mountain Cravings

Ingredients

Cabbage Slaw

  • 1/2 head green cabbage shredded
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro roughly chopped
  • 1 jalapeño minced
  • 2 T. red wine vinegar
  • 1 T. olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste

Chipotle-Lime Sauce

  • 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
  • 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
  • 2 T. chipotle hot sauce more or less to taste
  • 1 t. lime juice
  • 1/2 t. garlic powder

Fish Tacos

  • 4 fillets tilapia or other white fish
  • cajun seasoning to taste
  • 8 6" corn tortillas
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Combine the ingredients for the cabbage slaw up to an hour ahead of time and set aside to let the cabbage soften. Stir occasionally.
  • Combine the ingredients for the chipotle-lime sauce. Taste, adjust spice level, and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Cover a baking rack with foil. Cut the fish fillets into half-inch slices and arrange on the foil. Sprinkle with cajun seasoning to taste.
  • Bake the fish for 12-14 minutes, until fully cooked through and flaky.
  • While the fish is cooking, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, spray with cooking spray and set a tortilla in the center. Cook for about 30 seconds on each side, until golden brown spots appear and the edges begin to crisp. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  • Serve the cabbage slaw, chipotle-lime sauce, fish, and tortillas separately and assemble your own tacos.

Print Recipe


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15 June 2016 Tagged With: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dishes, Mexican, Party Favorites, Salads, Sauces Dips & Spreads, Under 30 Minutes

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