Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch

If you’re looking for a delicious, satisfying meal that combines crispy textures with a burst of flavor, look no further than our Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch! This dish beautifully marries the crunch of golden-fried fish strips with the freshness of vibrant vegetables, all served over a comforting bed of rice. Topped off with a zesty ranch dressing that has a spicy kick, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Perfect for lunch or dinner, these rice bowls are not only tasty but also quick and easy to prepare, making them ideal for busy weeknights.

The combination of crispy fish, creamy ranch, and colorful veggies offers an exciting twist on traditional rice bowls. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd, this dish checks all the boxes: it’s healthy, filling, and absolutely delicious. Let’s dive into why you’ll love making this recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Here are a few reasons why you’ll fall head over heels for this recipe:

• Quick and Easy: This dish can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic nights when you need dinner on the table fast. The preparation is straightforward, and the cooking time is minimal!
• Customizable: One of the best aspects of this recipe is its versatility. You can easily swap out the vegetables according to your preferences. Try adding bell peppers, corn, or even pickled onions to mix things up!
• Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from the fish and loaded with vitamins from the vegetables, these rice bowls are as nutritious as they are delicious. You can even use brown rice for an extra boost of fiber.
• Crunch Factor: The crispy fish strips offer a satisfying crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft rice and creamy ranch. This delightful texture combination makes every bite a pleasure.
• Flavor Explosion: The spicy lemon ranch dressing adds a tangy kick that elevates the dish from ordinary to extraordinary. This dressing is so good, you’ll want to put it on everything!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Are you still on the fence about trying the Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch? Here are a few compelling reasons to make this dish a staple in your kitchen:

• Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will enjoy digging into these colorful bowls. The crispy fish is appealing to even the pickiest eaters, and the vibrant veggies make it visually enticing.
• Meal Prep Friendly: This dish is perfect for meal prep! Prepare the fish strips and the spicy lemon ranch ahead of time, and you can have a delicious and healthy meal ready to go throughout the week.
• Affordable Ingredients: Most of the ingredients are budget-friendly and easy to find at your local grocery store. This means you can enjoy a delicious meal without breaking the bank!
• Impressive Presentation: These rice bowls look beautiful when served, making them perfect for entertaining guests or for a special family dinner. They’re sure to impress!
• Great for Leftovers: If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare!), they reheat well. The fish may lose some of its crispiness, but the flavors remain delicious.

Ingredients and Necessary Utensils

Here’s what you need to get started on your Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch:

Ingredients

For the Crispy Fish Strips:

• 1 lb white fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Rice Bowls:

• 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

For the Spicy Lemon Ranch:

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp dried dill
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Necessary Utensils

• Large skillet for frying
• Three mixing bowls (for breading station)
• Sharp knife for cutting fish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Paper towels for draining
• Serving bowls for assembly
• Whisk for mixing dressing

Having these ingredients and utensils ready will ensure a smooth cooking process and make your Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch a breeze to assemble!

Detailed Recipe Steps

Now that you have your ingredients and utensils ready, let’s walk through the steps to make these delicious rice bowls:

For the Crispy Fish Strips:

1. Prepare the Fish: Start by cutting the fish fillets into strips about 1 inch wide. This size ensures they cook evenly and are easy to handle.
2. Set Up Breading Station: In one bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs. This setup will streamline the coating process.
3. Coat the Fish: Take each fish strip and dip it into the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing down gently to ensure they adhere well.
4. Fry the Fish: In a large skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot (test by dropping in a breadcrumb if it sizzles, it’s ready), carefully add the fish strips in batches. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

For the Rice Bowls:

1. Prepare Bowls: In serving bowls, start with a base of cooked rice. This can be either white or brown rice depending on your preference.
2. Add Vegetables: Top the rice with steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and sliced avocado. These veggies not only provide color but also a healthy crunch.
3. Add Fish: Place several crispy fish strips on top of the veggies and rice. Be generous to ensure every bite is satisfying.

For the Spicy Lemon Ranch:

1. Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, combine ranch dressing, lemon juice, hot sauce, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed. Adjust the hot sauce level to your taste preference for the perfect kick!

Serve

1. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the spicy lemon ranch over the fish strips and rice bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and added flavor. Enjoy your meal!

FAQs

Conclusion

The Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch is a delightful dish that brings together flavors and textures in a satisfying way. With its crispy fish, nutritious vegetables, and zesty dressing, it’s a meal that everyone will love. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to impress. Don’t hesitate to share your experiences or variations in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with friends who would enjoy this recipe!

For more delicious recipes, check out Cheflora on Pinterest!

And if you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

• Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders with Tangy Lime Ranch
• Teriyaki Salmon Bites with Creamy Sesame Ginger Sauce
• Sweet and Spicy Cod Strips Rice with Chili Garlic Drizzle
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Rice Bowls with Zesty Lime Sauce
• Crispy Fish Rice Bowls with Zesty Lemon Garlic Sauce

Crispy Fish Strips Rice Bowls with Spicy Lemon Ranch

Enjoy a delightful bowl filled with crispy fish strips, fresh veggies, and a zesty spicy lemon ranch dressing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb White fish fillets Cod or tilapia
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 Large eggs
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil For frying
• 2 cups Cooked rice White or brown
• 1 cup Steamed broccoli florets
• 1 cup Shredded carrots
• 1 Avocado Sliced
• Fresh cilantro For garnish

Spicy Lemon Ranch

• 0.5 cup Ranch dressing
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Hot sauce Adjust to taste
• 1 tsp Dried dill
• Salt To taste
• Black pepper To taste

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Prepare the Fish: Cut the fish fillets into strips about 1 inch wide.
• Set Up Breading Station: In one bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
• Coat the Fish: Dip each fish strip into the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it in panko breadcrumbs, pressing down to adhere.
• Fry the Fish: In a large skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the fish strips in batches, frying for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Prepare Bowls: In bowls, start with a base of cooked rice. Top with steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and sliced avocado.
• Add Fish: Place several crispy fish strips on top of the veggies and rice.
• Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, combine ranch dressing, lemon juice, hot sauce, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
• Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the spicy lemon ranch over the fish strips and rice bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to add other toppings like sliced radishes or jalapeños for extra flavor.

Keyword crispy, fish, ranch, rice bowl