Tandoori fish with yellow rice
Tandoori fish with yellow rice

“Simple and yummy fish served with yellow fragrant rice – A True Comfort Classic”

If you’re looking to bring bold, restaurant-style flavors into your home kitchen without complicated steps, this Tandoori Fish with Yellow Rice is exactly what you need. It’s vibrant, aromatic, and satisfying—perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress with minimal effort.

This quick prep dish combines spice-marinated fish with beautifully fragrant turmeric-infused rice. The result? A balanced meal that’s rich in flavor, visually stunning, and surprisingly easy to prepare.

🍚 The Perfect Companion: Yellow Rice

Yellow rice isn’t just about color—it’s about warmth and aroma. Infused with turmeric and lightly seasoned with cumin, it complements the spiced fish beautifully while keeping the dish balanced and comforting.

 

🛒 Ingredients

For the Tandoori Fish:

    • 2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste ( or 1 tsp each)
    • 1 tsp Green Chilli paste
    • 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 
    • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1 tsp salt 
    • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
    • 1 tsp cumin powder
    • 1 tsp Tandoori powder
    • 2 tsp Gran flour (Besan)
    • 1 tsp Kasuri methi 
    • 2 tsp lemon juice 
    • 2 tbsp oil 

For the Yellow Rice:

    • 1 cup basmati rice (soaked for at least 30 mins)
    • 1.5 cups water
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 tablespoon butter or oil
    • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
    • Salt to taste ( i use 1 tsp per cup of rice)

For the Special Imli Chutney for Fish & BBQ’s ( follow instructions in the recipe post) : 

    • Handful of Coriander and Mint leaves
    • 1 medium Onion
    • 2 medium tomatoes
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1 inch ginger piece
    • 3 green chilies
    • 3 dried red chilies
    • 1/2 tsp Salt
    • 1 tsp Sugar 
    • 1/4 tsp Chaat masala 
    • 1/2 tsp Zeera powder
    • 20g fresh Imli diluted in water and sieved (approx. 1/2 cup tamarind pulp)

For the Kachumbar “Tomato and Onion relish” ( follow instructions in the recipe post) :

    • 1 medium cucumber, peeled and finely diced (optional)
    • 2 medium tomatoes, deseeded & finely diced
    • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
    • 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional; adjust to heat preference)
    • Handful of coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
    • Juice of ½ a lemon (or about 1 tablespoon) or 1‑1½ tbsp mild vinegar
    • ½ tsp Salt, to taste
    • ¼ tsp sumac cayenne or pomegranate powder (optional)

👩‍🍳Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Fish

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients .

Coat the fish fillets thoroughly with the paste and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, letting it sit longer will deepen the flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Yellow Rice 

Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear.

Heat butter or oil in a pot, add cumin seeds, and let them sizzle.

Stir in the rice, turmeric, salt, and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the rice is fluffy and fully cooked.

Step 3: Cook the Fish

Air fryer method:

Place the fish on a non stick sheet of parchment paper or foil and spray with Oil.

Set the Air fryer for 15 mins on 180 degree’s  making sure to flip half-way thru.

Shallow frying method:

Heat a little oil in a pan so that it cover at least 1/4 of the fish when placed inside the pan.

Cook the marinated fish until it’s tender and slightly charred on the outside. This usually takes about 4–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.  

After both sides of the fish have achieved a golden crisp coating, take out and drain on tissue paper. 

Step 3: Serve your Dish 

Fish can be served with Roti or rice.

Fluff the yellow rice and spread it onto a serving plate. Place the tandoori fish on top and garnish with fresh coriander and lemon wedges. 

Adding relish’s and chutneys also elevates the taste.  Try out my Special Imli Chutney for Fish and BBQ and Kachumber recipe which i always make when serving any kind of fried fish.  

Tandoori fish with yellow rice
Tandoori fish with yellow rice

🌿 Tips for the Best Results

  • Use thick fish fillets to prevent breaking during cooking.

  • For extra smokiness, you can briefly cover the cooked fish with a lid after adding a drop of hot charcoal (optional advanced trick).

  • Serve with a side of mint yogurt chutney for a refreshing contrast.

❓ FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. In fact, these are perfect for busy moms and great for meal-prep recipes. Marinade a day before and air fry or shallow fry – choice is yours! 

📌 Final Thoughts

👉 Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more easy and delicious recipes. Tag @Pinch0fSugar with your comments and pictures.

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Looking for Sweet Dishes? Check these recipes out…….

Do check out my other festive treats:

Check out my other Video Recipes added below!

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❗❗Kitchen utensils I use ❗❗

Video (Full instructional video will be available on my YouTube channel shortly)

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