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Cilantro Lime Rice A close-up bowl of cilantro lime rice, garnished with fresh cilantro and served with lime wedges on the side.

Cilantro Lime Rice

A bright, zesty Cilantro Lime Rice made with fluffy long-grain rice tossed in fresh cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and aromatics. This quick 20-minute side dish adds vibrant flavor to tacos, grilled meats, bowls, and weeknight meals while staying simple, fresh, and reliably delicious.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Keyword: Baked cilantro lime rice, Cilantro lime rice calories, Cilantro lime rice Chipotle, Cilantro lime rice cooker, Cilantro lime rice easy, Cilantro lime rice ingredients, Cilantro lime rice sauce recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 210kcal
Cost: $4

Equipment

  • 1 Medium saucepan (With tight-fitting lid)
  • 1 Fine mesh strainer (For rinsing rice)
  • 1 Fork (For fluffing)
  • 1 Sharp knife (For chopping cilantro)
  • 1 Citrus juicer (For lime juice)

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups Long-grain white rice - Rinsed and drained
  • 2.25 cups Water or chicken broth - For cooking rice
  • 2 cloves Garlic - Minced
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable or olive oil - For toasting rice
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt - For rice cooking
  • 1 bay leaf Optional - For extra flavor
  • 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro - Finely chopped
  • 2 limes Juice - Freshly squeezed
  • 1 lime Zest - Optional but recommended
  • 2 tablespoon Butter or olive oil - For flavoring cooked rice
  • Pinch — Salt - Adjust to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the starch washes away.
    Uncooked white rice being rinsed under running water in a fine-mesh strainer, with minced garlic and a knife on a wooden cutting board beside it.
  • Toast the drained rice with garlic in oil until fragrant and opaque.
    A pot of rice on the stovetop as water is poured in, with a bay leaf floating on top and steam rising from the simmering mixture.
  • Add broth, seasonings, and cook on low heat without opening the lid.
  • Remove from heat and let the rice steam covered to finish cooking properly.
    A hand adds fresh cilantro, lime zest, and butter to a pan of hot cooked white rice, gently mixing the ingredients with a spoon.
  • Mix in cilantro, lime juice, zest, and butter for bright fresh flavor.
    A bowl of cilantro lime rice with fluffy white grains mixed with fresh chopped cilantro, surrounded by lime wedges and cilantro sprigs.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 150g | Calories: 210kcal (11%) | Carbohydrates: 45g (15%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 4g (6%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Cholesterol: 5mg (2%) | Sodium: 250mg (11%) | Potassium: 140mg (4%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 0.5g (1%) | Vitamin A: 300IU (6%) | Vitamin C: 12mg (15%) | Calcium: 20mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
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