This Cilantro Lime Rice is light and fluffy with a hint of lime and cilantro in each bite.
Serve this tender rice alongside my Black Beans and my Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef for the ultimate meal!
One thing you will always find in our house is rice. I usually buy one of those large 25 pound bags of rice at a time and we go through it pretty quickly. Whether it’s my Mexican Rice, rice served with my Orange Cauliflower or Sweet Fire Shrimp Bowls, we just can’t get enough of it.
Lately I’ve been obsessed with this restaurant in my new home town called Cafe Rio. They have an amazing assortment of Mexican dishes, but they all start out with rice and beans. Cilantro Lime Rice, to be exact.
The only problem with the restaurant is that they lines are always horrendous. It’s a sure sign that they have delicious food, but with 4 kids, standing in line for 35 to 40 minutes is just not feasible. My youngest daughters start using the line rails as gymnastic beams and swing around like monkeys, kicking everyone around us…
I had to make my own at home. And it’s actually soooo easy too!
I took my Easy Mexican Rice recipe then switched up the flavors, but kept the simple process for this amazing side dish.
You can whip this rice up in no time right on your stove top. I don’t have a rice cooker (and yes, I’ve heard they’re amazing and I’ll get one eventually), but I’m sure you could just toss all the ingredients into your rice cooker as well.
I love making this rice with my recipe for amazing black beans. When paired together they’re great in burritos, salads, tacos, or even just as a simple side dish.
The rice is aromatic and tangy and perfectly tender.
I have some in my fridge right now and all I can think about is the amazing salad I am going to make with the rice for lunch.
Don’t you just love a good side dish that doesn’t require a lot of effort?!
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Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 3/4 cups grain rice, long
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 limes, zest and juice of
- 1 large handful cilantro, chopped (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the onion for 3 to 5 minutes or until translucent.
- Add the rice, garlic salt and cumin and stir, toasting the rice lightly for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, zest of 2 limes and juice from the limes to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 18 to 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.
- Use a fork to fluff the rice and then add the cilantro, stirring until the cilantro wilts slightly. Add a little more lime juice if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Just a question: Most long grain rice like Jasmin and Basmati say to rinse the rice 1st. Are you intentionally skipping that step to yeild a more creamy effect? Or to save time ?
You could definitely rinse prior to cooking, it’ll make the rice less sticky. It’s up to you how you like it.
Can u use Jasmine rice for it.
Yes, definitely! Jasmine rice is my favorite!
How long do you think you could leave the leftovers in the fridge for until it’s not good anymore?
This is an awesome and versatile recipe. Made it last week with grilled chicken and veggies marinated in lime and Mexican spices and it was a hit. Made it a second this weekend and swapped out the cumin for ground ginger and served Thai beef over it and it wowed my friends. Thanks for sharing!
I love that you made it again with ginger! What a great way to spruce it up! Thanks for sharing!!
I have never tried cilantro rice before, but it looks SO good! I would love to try this!
It’s incredible. You should definitely try it! 🙂
Thanks for this different rice recipe and lovely photos.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Shawn, your photos are outrageously GORGEOUS. Seriously stunning. I haven’t had Cafe Rio, but we have Chipotle here and they offer the same cilantro lime rice. It’s DIVINE! Love this easy dinner recipe 🙂
Thank you Hayley! 🙂
I am OBSESSED with cilanto-lime rice, too! I make a copycat Chipotle recipe that is so darn tasty – I make it pretty much weekly here (and it’s on the menu for tomorrow night with carnitas!). The recipe’s a bit different from yours, so I might have to change it up and try yours next time. Your version looks and sounds wonderful!
Thanks Amy! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂