Crispy Thai Fish with Chili-Lime Drizzle
Whole fish or fillets fried until shatteringly crisp, then drizzled with a bright, spicy chili-lime sauce. A TikTok-famous Thai street-food move that tastes fancy but takes 15 minutes.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 42g
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb whole fish (sea bass, snapper, or mackerel) or 1 lb white fish fillets
- 2 cups neutral oil for frying
- 1 whole lime (juiced)
- 2 whole Thai chili (bird's eye or serrano), thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
Instructions
- 1
Pat fish dry inside and out with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- 2
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until a wooden spoon handle sizzles immediately when dipped.
- 3
Carefully slide fish into oil. Fry without moving for 5-6 minutes until the bottom is deep golden and crispy.
- 4
Flip fish gently and fry the second side 4-5 minutes until skin crackles and flesh is cooked through.
- 5
Whisk lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and sliced chili together in a bowl until sugar dissolves.
- 6
Transfer fish to a serving plate and drizzle the chili-lime sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Tools you’ll need
- large skillet or wok
- paper towels
- wooden spoon or slotted spatula
- small bowl
- whisk
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