If you’re craving a dish that bursts with vibrant flavors and textures, the Chili Crisp Salmon Bowl with Avocado Mango Salsa Recipe is an absolute winner. This bowl brings together perfectly baked salmon glazed with spicy, crunchy chili crisp, complemented by a bright, fresh avocado mango salsa. Each bite offers a delightful balance of heat, creaminess, sweet tropical notes, and just the right hint of citrus, all nestled on a bed of fluffy rice. It’s a stunning and satisfying meal that feels both comforting and adventurous—ideal for a weeknight dinner or impressing friends with something fresh and exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays an important role, keeping the dish straightforward but bursting with flavor, color, and texture. From the silky salmon to the sweet mango, each component is essential to creating the magic of this dish.
- Salmon fillets: Opt for fresh, skin-on fillets for the best flavor and texture.
- Chili crisp: This spicy, crunchy condiment adds a wonderful kick and texture contrast.
- Olive oil: Helps keep the salmon moist and tender during baking.
- Soy sauce: Brings umami depth and beautifully complements the chili crisp.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory warmth without overpowering.
- Ginger powder: Introduces subtle spice and complexity.
- Black pepper and sea salt: Essential seasonings for balance and flavor enhancement.
- Ripe avocado: Provides creamy richness to the salsa.
- Mango: Offers juicy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with spicy chili.
- Red onion: Adds a little sharpness and crunch to the salsa.
- Lime juice: Brings brightness and acidity that tie the salsa together.
- Cilantro: Fresh herbaceous notes for a burst of color and flavor.
- Cooked rice: A neutral base to soak up all those incredible flavors.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Chili Crisp Salmon Bowl with Avocado Mango Salsa Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), making sure it reaches the right temperature for perfectly cooked salmon. Place a parchment-lined baking sheet inside the oven to heat up simultaneously, so the fillets sizzle the moment they hit the surface.
Step 2: Prep the Salmon
Patting the salmon fillets dry is key to helping the seasoning and chili crisp cling well, ensuring a flavorful crust. Then, rub both sides with olive oil to lock in moisture and give the fish a lovely roasted finish.
Step 3: Season and Glaze the Salmon
Season both sides generously with garlic powder, ginger powder, black pepper, and sea salt — these spices provide a beautifully balanced backdrop. Then brush one tablespoon of chili crisp evenly on top of each fillet; this spreads out the signature crispy, spicy flavor that makes this dish unforgettable.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and place the salmon fillets skin side down. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through, offering a tender and juicy bite every time.
Step 5: Make the Avocado Mango Salsa
While the salmon roasts, prepare the salsa by cubing ripe avocado and mango for freshness and natural sweetness. Finely dice red onion to add subtle crunch, then gently mix with lime juice and cilantro—the citrus and herb components brighten and balance the richness perfectly.
Step 6: Assemble the Bowl
Spoon cooked rice into serving bowls, top with the hot salmon fillet, and then spoon a generous helping of avocado mango salsa over the top. Finish it off by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds for a delightful nutty contrast.
How to Serve Chili Crisp Salmon Bowl with Avocado Mango Salsa Recipe
Garnishes
Feel free to add extra garnishes like thinly sliced scallions, a drizzle of extra chili crisp for heat lovers, or even a wedge of lime for an additional citrus zing. These simple touches can elevate the bowl’s presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
This bowl is hearty, but pairing it with a light cucumber salad or steamed greens can bring some refreshing balance. Pickled vegetables also work wonderfully to cut through the richness and add a punch of tangy flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the salmon bowl in colorful ceramic bowls for visual impact, or lay the components out as a build-your-own bowl setup for a fun interactive meal. Adding some edible flowers or microgreens can also turn it into a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover salmon, salsa, and rice in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to two days. Keep the salsa separate to preserve its texture and freshness, then combine at serving.
Freezing
Salmon freezes well, but the salsa and rice are best fresh. Freeze salmon fillets wrapped tightly for up to one month; when ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
Reheating
Warm the salmon in a low oven or skillet to avoid drying it out, and reheat rice in the microwave with a splash of water. Add fresh avocado mango salsa right before serving to maintain its vibrant texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use other types of fish instead of salmon?
Absolutely! Firm, flaky fish like cod or halibut can also hold up well to the chili crisp glaze and bake nicely in this recipe.
Is the chili crisp very spicy?
Chili crisp typically has a moderate heat level, balanced with crunchy texture and savory depth. You can adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
Can I make the salsa ahead of time?
Yes, but prepare it shortly before serving to keep the avocado fresh and prevent browning. Add lime juice as an antioxidant helps slow this down.
What type of rice works best for this bowl?
Plain white jasmine or basmati rice works beautifully thanks to their fluffy texture and subtle fragrance, but brown rice is a great healthier alternative.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Just use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to keep the recipe safe for a gluten-sensitive diet without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, the Chili Crisp Salmon Bowl with Avocado Mango Salsa Recipe is one of those dishes you’ll find yourself craving again and again. It’s vibrant, nourishing, and packed with layers of delightful flavor and texture that come together effortlessly. So grab your ingredients, follow these steps, and treat yourself to a bowl that feels both special and comfortingly simple. You’re really going to love it.
Print
Chili Crisp Salmon Bowl with Avocado Mango Salsa Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 15m
- Total Time: 0h 35m
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A vibrant and flavorful Chili Crisp Salmon Bowl featuring oven-baked salmon fillets coated with spicy chili crisp, served over fluffy rice and topped with a refreshing avocado mango salsa. This dish offers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and creamy flavors with a delightful crunch from sesame seeds, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Salmon and Seasonings
- 2 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Avocado Mango Salsa
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 medium mango
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
Additional
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare it for baking the salmon.
- Heat Baking Sheet: Place a baking sheet lined with parchment paper into the oven while it heats up, ensuring it gets hot for searing the salmon.
- Dry Salmon Fillets: Pat the salmon fillets dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture for better seasoning adherence and cooking.
- Oil the Salmon: Rub olive oil evenly on both sides of each salmon fillet to keep the fish moist and help spices stick.
- Season Salmon: Sprinkle garlic powder, ginger powder, black pepper, and sea salt on both sides of the fillets for balanced flavor.
- Brush Chili Crisp: Evenly brush one tablespoon of chili crisp over the top of each salmon fillet to add spicy, savory notes.
- Prepare Hot Baking Sheet: Once the oven reaches temperature, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven to place the salmon.
- Place Salmon on Sheet: Arrange the salmon fillets skin side down onto the hot baking sheet to start the cooking process.
- Bake Salmon: Bake the fillets for 12-15 minutes until cooked through and flaky to touch, ensuring tender fish.
- Prepare Salsa Ingredients: While salmon bakes, peel, pit, and cube the ripe avocado carefully.
- Prepare Mango: Peel the mango, slice off the flesh from the pit, and chop it into small cubes matching the avocado size.
- Dice Onion: Finely dice the red onion into small pieces suitable for mixing and texture balance.
- Mix Salsa: In a medium bowl, gently combine the cubed avocado, mango, and red onion.
- Add Lime and Cilantro: Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro, mixing carefully to blend flavors without mashing the avocado.
- Rest Salmon: After baking, remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to redistribute juices.
- Assemble Bowls: Spoon cooked rice evenly into two serving bowls as the base.
- Add Salmon: Place one salmon fillet on top of the rice in each bowl.
- Top with Salsa: Spoon a generous portion of the avocado mango salsa over each salmon fillet.
- Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the salsa for a crunchy finishing touch.
- Serve: Serve the chili crisp salmon bowls immediately to enjoy optimal flavors and textures.
Notes
- Ensure the salmon fillets are dried well before seasoning to help the spices stick better.
- Adjust the amount of chili crisp according to your preferred spice level.
- Use ripe, but firm avocado and mango for best texture in the salsa.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save preparation time.
- For added flavor, you can toast the sesame seeds lightly before sprinkling on top.
- This recipe can be doubled easily to serve more people.
