Baked Salmon In Chili Lime Marinade

Salmon has a special place, among fish, for me. I love the beautiful orange color, the shiny silver skin, and the texture of the salmon. The texture is just right for you to bake, fry, or make in various ways. You can have this fish in many flavors. I have tried various salmon recipes and have posted a few on this site. Along with the Air Fryer Salmon, which is highly popular among readers, this recipe will surely rank as one of the best-baked salmon recipes. The refreshing flavors of this easy-baked salmon recipe will make you want to cook this again. The marinade is super easy to make. It has that refreshing citrusy and tangy flavor from lime juice. There is heat from the chili powder that complements the sourness of lime. Add cumin, garlic, and the sweetness of honey; you have the perfect savory taste profile. Fresh lemon juice helps tenderize the salmon, so you don’t have to cook salmon for longer. When the salmon comes out, a soft pinch with a fork shows the meat as tender and flaky as you want. From taking the salmon out of the refrigerator to serving it on the table, you will be done in less than half an hour. Apart from being tasty, salmon is a very healthy fish known for being rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Its nutrition profile shines with low cholesterol and carbohydrates and is high in proteins. Salmon is also high in vitamins like vitamin B and minerals like calcium and potassium. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like celery and lemon slices on top and have an appetizing-looking dish.

Ingredients

Fresh Lime Juice – gives the salmon a fresh citrusy flavor and taste. You can substitute it with lemon juice. Honey – to add some sweetness to compensate for the sourness of lime and heat from the chili. Minced garlic – universal aromatics used in the marinade and baked with the salmon to give it an aroma. Ground cumin – is used to enhance the savory flavor. Chilli powder – adds a bit of heat and complexity to the marinade. Smoked paprika – that smoky flavor raises the level of the dish. Olive oil – our source of fat to bake the fish. Lime wedges and fresh cilantro – used for garnish and aroma while serving the fish. Salt and pepper – used in the marinade; use as per taste and tolerance. You can be light with the pepper since we are already using chili.

How to bake salmon

Prep the Salmon – Double-line a baking tray with a baking sheet. Pat, the salmon filets dry with kitchen or paper towels. Place the fish on the baking sheet a few inches apart. Make sure that the thickest part of the salmon is not more than one inch and a half. The first step is to make the marinade super easy. Gather the ingredients – lime juice, honey, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and paprika, and mix them in a bowl. We will use the marinade partly to coat the fillet and keep some to apply later after baking. With a spoon, pour some of the marinades over the fillet and spread evenly with the back of the spoon. Flip the fillet and apply the marinade similarly on the other side. Bake & broil – Place the tray in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Next, move the tray and place it in the upper rack and broil for another 2 minutes. Meanwhile, while the salmon baking in the oven, added two tablespoons of water to the remaining marinade. In a hot saucepan, cook the marinade for 3 minutes to reduce it by half. Serve – Take the salmon block from the oven and serve on a plate. Spoon the remaining reduced marinade over it. Serve with lime wedges and chopped cilantro.

Serve with

Serve this baked salmon with a bowl of plain or jasmine rice. You may also serve this with side dishes like roasted veggies – asparagus, broccoli, or green beans. Look at these sides for inspiration – Airfryer Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Lemon Pepper Zucchini. A light and refreshing salad like an avocado salad will also go well with this salmon dish. Check out other salad options to serve with this – Cucumber Strawberry Salad, Lemon Dill Potato Salad( No Mayo).