Baked Tilapia Bowl (Print Version)

Tender herb-baked tilapia with fluffy rice and steamed vegetables for a wholesome meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets, approximately 5.3 oz each
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Rice

07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
08 - 2 cups water
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

10 - 2 cups broccoli florets
11 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for tossing vegetables, optional
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - Pat tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brush both sides of each fillet with the seasoning mixture and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Bake tilapia for 12 to 15 minutes until flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork.
04 - While fish bakes, bring 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with fork.
05 - Steam broccoli florets and carrot slices in a steamer basket over simmering water for 5 to 7 minutes until crisp-tender. Optionally toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
06 - Divide cooked rice equally among four serving bowls. Top each portion with one baked tilapia fillet and a generous serving of steamed vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The fish stays impossibly tender and flakes apart with just a fork, no dry, rubbery surprises.
  • Everything finishes in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the overwhelm.
  • It looks impressive enough to serve to guests but honest enough to feel like comfort food.
02 -
  • Dry your fish before seasoning it, not after, or the moisture will dilute the herb mixture and make it slide right off.
  • Don't skip the parchment paper—it's the difference between a clean baking sheet and one that requires serious scrubbing afterward.
03 -
  • Fresh lemon juice and proper seasoning matter more here than expensive ingredients—taste as you go and adjust the salt and pepper until it sings.
  • If your fish fillets are particularly thin, check them at 10 minutes; they might be done before the timer says they should be, and overcooked fish is sad fish.
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