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Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Cora Garcia
When it comes to pairing up a dish with zesty flavors, cilantro lime rice shines brightly. Imagine sitting down to a warm plate of tacos or a spicy grilled chicken. What elevates that experience?
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 201 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan, Bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
  • cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice from about 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 green onion thinly sliced
  • teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions
 

Step 1: Rinse the Rice

  • Before cooking, it’s best to rinse the rice under cold water. This removes excess starch and helps achieve that fluffy texture. Just a minute or two under a gentle stream of cold water will do the trick.

Step 2: Cook the Rice

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and the low-sodium chicken broth or water. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb the liquid completely.

Step 3: Fluff the Rice

  • Once the rice has cooked and all the liquid is absorbed, remove the pot from heat. Let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. This resting period is essential. After that, grab a fork and fluff the rice gently.

Step 4: Mix in the Good Stuff

  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and ground cumin. Whisk this mixture until everything is well blended. Pour it over the fluffed rice, then toss to coat evenly.

Step 5: Add Fresh Ingredients

  • Now, fold in the fresh cilantro and green onions. These ingredients give the dish freshness and color. Mix gently to avoid breaking the rice grains.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  • You can serve this cilantro lime rice warm or at room temperature. It’s versatile and makes an excellent option for meal prepping.

Notes

Rice

Using long-grain white rice provides that fluffy texture. However, brown rice is a nutritious choice and can also be used. If you opt for brown rice, remember to adjust the cooking time.

Chicken Broth or Water

The use of low-sodium chicken broth enhances the flavor significantly. Water can be a substitute; however, broth brings depth that plain water simply can’t.

Fresh Lime Juice

Lime juice is essential. Freshly squeezed juice adds a bright burst compared to bottled varieties. You’ll taste the difference!

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Opting for high-quality extra-virgin olive oil makes a difference in flavor. It’s worth investing in a good bottle for cooking and drizzling.

Garlic

Garlic is best used fresh. Note that using garlic powder can alter the taste. Fresh garlic brings a punch that powder just can’t replicate.

Fresh Cilantro

Cilantro is key in this dish. If you’re unsure about the taste of cilantro, you can adjust the amount based on your preference or replace it with parsley for a milder flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 5gFat: 2.4gSaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 351mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 13mg
Keyword Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
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