Name: Sweet Chili Lime Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3-4 salmon filets; kosher salt; 1/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce; juice of 1 lime; rice (for serving); veggies for serving (cucumber, radish, shredded carrots, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, etc.)

This Thai-inspired sweet chili lime salmon is as irresistible as it is easy, and I can’t think of a simpler way to get a healthy dinner done in 20 minutes or less. Kosher salt, sweet chili sauce, and a spritz of fresh lime are all you need to make baked salmon shine and pair beautifully with crisp, colorful veggies.

Plate of sweet chili lime salmon served with rice, cucumber, radish, cilantro, lime, and carrots.

This sweet chili lime salmon is that rare meal that, without exaggeration, checks every box. It’s so delicious that I look forward to it all day—and the leftovers too. It’s both healthy and satisfying, as salmon tends to be. The salmon filets are outrageously easy to make, with minimal prep and a hands-off baking method. And, if the stars align, my kids will both eat it. This is all the things, and I love it.

Why You’ll Love Sweet Chili Salmon

Literally two-steps: glaze salmon, bake salmon
Thai sweet chili sauce packs tang, sweetness, and gentle heat all in one
Baking is perfectly hands-off yet renders flaky, tender fish every time
Pairs perfectly with fuss-free sides: fresh cucumber, radish, carrot, cilantro, and lime
Tastes great and feels great to eat

Countertop set with two dinner plates of Thai-inspired sweet chili salmon with rice, cucumber, radish, shredded carrot, cilantro, and lime.

Ingredient Notes

Salmon. Either pre-cut filets or a larger side will work. Skin-on salmon generally has more flavor and is more forgiving if left in the oven a bit too long.
Sweet chili sauce. This popular Thai condiment is made with red chili peppers such as Fresno or Thai, garlic, rice vinegar, and sugar or honey. It has a beautiful red-orange hue, a thick and glossy texture, and is a common dipping sauce.
Kosher salt and fresh lime juice.
For serving: we love steamed rice and fresh cucumber, radish, carrot, cilantro, green onions, more lime, and sesame seeds.

Four salmon filets on a plate, with Thai sweet chili sauce, a fresh lime, kosher salt, and cilantro leaves scattered nearby.

Glaze, Bake, Done

This is a true two-step: glaze and bake.

After placing your salmon on a rimmed baking tray lined with parchment or a silicone mat, sprinkle it lightly with kosher salt and coat each piece generously with sweet chili sauce. I just use the back of a spoon.

If you’re not in a big hurry, I do love the cold oven salmon method of placing salmon in an unheated oven, then setting the temperature to 400°F and checking it in about 20 minutes. This gradual exposure to heat is very reliable for producing flaky, tender salmon.

This said, if your birdies are chirping for dinner, save a few precious minutes by preheating the oven too 400°F first and just sticking in the salmon when ready. If the oven is all the way to temperature before adding the fish, it should only take 12-15 minutes to bake, depending on the thickness of your filets.

Uncooked salmon filets on a small sheet pan and drizzled with Thai sweet chili sauce.

Roasted salmon filets glazed and removed from the oven.

Pro Tip

Don’t forget the spritz of lime! Squeeze this on after pulling the salmon out of the oven. It’s the perfect complement to finish the salmon with fresh citrus flavor. If you really love it, add a quick dusting of lime zest, as well.

Perfect Pairings for Sweet Chili Salmon

This is dreamy with jasmine rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a low-carb option.
We like it with a simple but generous collection of crisp veggies cold from the fridge; those shown here include thinly-sliced cucumber and radish, shredded carrot, cilantro leaves, and green onions. The little bit of extra sweet chili sauce from the salmon, or an extra squeeze passed at the table, is all you need to doll up the veggies.
For something a little more involved, an Asian-inspired noodle, edamame, or cucumber salad would also go very well.

Whatever accompaniments you choose, it’s easy enough to do a salad-like situation on the side, or transform into a build-your-own-bowl line-up. You can’t go wrong! It reminds me of my daughter’s very favorite teriyaki salmon, except even easier to make.

Plate of Thai sweet chili lime salmon with rice and lots of fresh veggies.

More Healthy Salmon Recipes

Close up of flaky salmon filet roasted with Thai sweet chili sauce.

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