Easy Instant Pot Chili Mahi-Mahi (20-Minute Recipe)

Lunch, Seafood

March 29, 2026

Craving a dinner that’s lightning-fast, packed with flavor, and ridiculously easy? Look no further! This Instant Pot Chili Mahi-Mahi is your new weeknight hero. In just 20 minutes, you can have tender, flaky fish infused with the zesty kick of green chilies and the richness of melted butter. The pressure cooker perfectly steams the fish, locking in moisture and flavor for a foolproof meal every single time. Say goodbye to boring dinners and hello to your new favorite seafood dish!

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup / 55g chopped Green Chilies
• 4 Mahi-Mahi Fillets, about 6 oz / 170g each
• 2 tbsp / 28g Butter, melted
• ¼ tsp / 1.5g Salt
• ¼ tsp / 0.5g Black Pepper, freshly ground
• 1 ½ cups / 355 ml Water

Instructions

1. Directions
2. Set your Instant Pot to the SAUTE function and melt the butter in the inner pot.
3. Season the mahi-mahi fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Carefully place them in the hot pot and sear for 1 minute per side to develop a light crust.
4. Gently transfer the seared fillets to a steaming basket or trivet.
5. Pour the water into the inner pot.
6. Sprinkle the chopped green chilies evenly over the fish fillets and lower the basket into the Instant Pot.
7. Secure the lid, turn the steam valve to the SEALING position, and cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
8. When the timer finishes, perform a quick pressure release by carefully turning the valve to VENTING.
9. Once the pin drops, open the lid, serve the chili mahi-mahi immediately, and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

• Per Serving: Calories 325 | Total Fats 22g | Net Carbs 3g | Protein 20g | Fiber: 0.4g

Pro Tips

• For an extra burst of freshness and acidity, squeeze a wedge of fresh lime over the cooked fish just before serving.
• Adjust the spice level to your preference. Use mild Anaheim chilies for a gentle warmth or swap in jalapeños for a more significant kick.
• The initial 1-minute sear is purely for flavor and texture; the fish will cook fully during the pressure cooking stage, so don’t overdo it.
• This dish pairs beautifully with cilantro-lime rice, quinoa, or a side of steamed asparagus for a complete and balanced meal.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to cook mahi mahi in an Instant Pot
A: This recipe cooks mahi-mahi on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes, followed by a quick pressure release. The total time for the meal is about 20 minutes.

Q: Can I make this recipe spicier
A: Yes, you can easily adjust the spice level. For a more significant kick, the recipe suggests swapping the mild green chilies for jalapeños.

Q: What should I serve with chili mahi mahi
A: This dish pairs beautifully with cilantro-lime rice, quinoa, or steamed asparagus. A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the fish before serving is also recommended.

Q: Do I have to sear the fish before pressure cooking
A: The initial 1-minute sear is highly recommended for adding flavor and texture, but it is not essential for cooking the fish through. The mahi-mahi will cook fully during the pressure cooking stage.

More Keto Recipes

A smiling woman holding a delicious baking dish of Keto Fried Salmon paired with golden, cheesy baked broccoli and fresh lime wedges in a bright kitchen.

Keto Fried Salmon with Broccoli and Cheese

Ingredients Salmon: 12 oz (340g) salmon fillet; cut into bite-sized pieces. Butter: 3.0 tbsp (42g) butter, divided. Broccoli: 8 oz (225g) fresh broccoli; cut into small florets. Cheese: 2.0 oz (56g) cheddar cheese, grated (about 0.5 cups). Seasoning: 0.1 tsp (0.5g)...

A smiling woman holding a rustic ceramic plate featuring beautifully golden Roasted Salmon with Parmesan Dill Crust, served alongside fresh asparagus and a creamy dill sauce.

Roasted Salmon with Parmesan Dill Crust

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Servings: 2 Ingredients 0.5 lbs (8.0 oz / 225g) salmon, cut into two equal pieces 1.0 tbsp (0.1 oz / 3g) fresh dill weed, chopped 0.25 cups (2.0 oz / 56g) cottage cheese 1.0 tbsp (0.5 oz / 14g) extra virgin olive...

A smiling woman in a grey sweater and beige apron holding a plate of delicious Keto Baked Salmon with Pesto, green sauce, and asparagus in a bright kitchen setting.

Keto Baked Salmon with Pesto

Ingredients For the Salmon: 0.5 lbs (8 oz / 225g) fresh salmon fillets 1 oz (28g / 2 tbsp) green pesto 0.05 oz (1.5g / 0.25 tsp) salt 0.05 oz (1.5g / 0.25 tsp) black pepper For the Creamy Green Sauce: 0.25 cups (60g / 2.1 oz) plain Greek yogurt 1 oz (28g / 2 tbsp)...

Person in a gray sweater holding a bowl of salad with smoked salmon, olives, arugula, and a lemon wedge in a kitchen.

Smoked Salmon Salad

Ingredients To make this vibrant dish, you will need the following exactly measured ingredients: 2 cups (1.5 oz / 42g) fresh arugula salad leaves 2 oz (56g) smoked salmon 4 large olives (0.5 oz / 14g) 1 tsp (0.1 oz / 2.8g) pink peppercorns, lightly crushed 1 slice...

A smiling woman wearing an apron holds a rustic bowl of freshly prepared Fish and Leek Sauté, showcasing the vibrant green leeks and cooked diced trout.

Fish and Leek Sauté

Ingredients Leek: 1.0 medium leek, chopped (approx. 5.3 oz / 150g) Trout: 2.0 fillets, diced (8.0 oz / 225g) Tamari: 1.0 tbsp (0.5 oz / 15g) tamari soy sauce Ginger: 1.0 tsp (0.1 oz / 3g) fresh ginger, grated Oil: 1.0 tbsp (0.5 oz / 14g) avocado oil Seasoning: 0.1 tsp...

A smiling woman standing in a bright kitchen, holding a rustic ceramic bowl filled with freshly cooked Garlic Lime Mahi-Mahi, garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

Garlic Lime Mahi-Mahi

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Marinating Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 4 Mahi-Mahi filets, approximately 16 to 20 oz (450g to 560g) total Zest and juice of 1 large fresh lime, approximately 2 tbsp (1 fl oz / 30ml) of juice 0.25 cup...

A smiling woman in a bright kitchen holding an oven-safe dish of freshly broiled Keto Spicy Oysters resting on a bed of fresh green basil leaves.

Ketogenic Spicy Oyster

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Servings: 2 Ingredients 12 whole oysters, freshly shucked (yields approx. 8 oz / 225g of oyster meat) 1 tbsp. (0.5 oz / 15g) olive oil 7-8 fresh basil leaves (approx. 0.1 oz / 3g) 1 tbsp. (0.6 oz / 17g) garlic chili...

A food blogger holding a baking dish filled with fresh Keto Baked Salmon with lemon slices and butter, presenting the finished dish in a bright kitchen setting.

Keto Baked Salmon with Lemon and Butter

Ingredients Salmon: 16 oz (454g) salmon fillet, whole or portioned Lemon: 1 whole fresh lemon (yielding approximately 0.25 cup or 2 oz (60g) of slices and juice) Butter: 6 tbsp (3 oz / 85g) unsalted butter, divided Olive Oil: 1 tbsp (0.5 oz / 15ml) extra-virgin olive...

A smiling female chef holding a freshly prepared Tiger Prawn Salad over mixed lettuce greens with a creamy lemon dijon dressing in a bright, modern kitchen.

Salad of Prawns and Mixed Lettuce Greens

Ingredients Mixed Greens: 2.0 cups (2.0 oz / 57g) mixed lettuce greens Prawns: 8.0 oz (225g) tiger prawns, peeled and deveined Aioli: 0.25 cup (2.0 oz / 57g) aioli Olive Oil: 1.0 tbsp. (0.5 oz / 14g) olive oil Lemon Juice: 1.0 tbsp. (0.5 oz / 15g) freshly squeezed...

A smiling woman holding a delicious baking dish of Keto Fried Salmon paired with golden, cheesy baked broccoli and fresh lime wedges in a bright kitchen.

Keto Fried Salmon with Broccoli and Cheese

Ingredients Salmon: 12 oz (340g) salmon fillet; cut into bite-sized pieces. Butter: 3.0 tbsp (42g) butter, divided. Broccoli: 8 oz (225g) fresh broccoli; cut into small florets. Cheese: 2.0 oz (56g) cheddar cheese, grated (about 0.5 cups). Seasoning: 0.1 tsp (0.5g)...

A smiling woman holding a rustic ceramic plate featuring beautifully golden Roasted Salmon with Parmesan Dill Crust, served alongside fresh asparagus and a creamy dill sauce.

Roasted Salmon with Parmesan Dill Crust

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Servings: 2 Ingredients 0.5 lbs (8.0 oz / 225g) salmon, cut into two equal pieces 1.0 tbsp (0.1 oz / 3g) fresh dill weed, chopped 0.25 cups (2.0 oz / 56g) cottage cheese 1.0 tbsp (0.5 oz / 14g) extra virgin olive...

A smiling woman in a grey sweater and beige apron holding a plate of delicious Keto Baked Salmon with Pesto, green sauce, and asparagus in a bright kitchen setting.

Keto Baked Salmon with Pesto

Ingredients For the Salmon: 0.5 lbs (8 oz / 225g) fresh salmon fillets 1 oz (28g / 2 tbsp) green pesto 0.05 oz (1.5g / 0.25 tsp) salt 0.05 oz (1.5g / 0.25 tsp) black pepper For the Creamy Green Sauce: 0.25 cups (60g / 2.1 oz) plain Greek yogurt 1 oz (28g / 2 tbsp)...

Person in a gray sweater holding a bowl of salad with smoked salmon, olives, arugula, and a lemon wedge in a kitchen.

Smoked Salmon Salad

Ingredients To make this vibrant dish, you will need the following exactly measured ingredients: 2 cups (1.5 oz / 42g) fresh arugula salad leaves 2 oz (56g) smoked salmon 4 large olives (0.5 oz / 14g) 1 tsp (0.1 oz / 2.8g) pink peppercorns, lightly crushed 1 slice...

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
0