Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice is one of those side dishes my family never gets tired of. This easy cilantro lime rice recipe is light, fluffy, and packed with a delicious lime and cilantro flavor in every bite. It’s the perfect side for tacos, burrito bowls, grilled chicken, or even enjoyed all by itself.
If you’ve never had cilantro lime rice before, it’s a simple yet flavorful rice dish made with jasmine rice, chicken broth, butter, lime juice, cilantro, and a few seasonings. The ingredients may be simple, but together they create a fresh, restaurant-style side dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Around our house, we love serving this rice with homemade Costa Vida-inspired burrito bowls, salads, and other Mexican-inspired meals. Every once in a while, we’ll even grab a spoonful straight from the pan because it’s just that good!
Speaking of loving this rice, I have to give a little shout-out to my amazing sister-in-law. We were celebrating a family birthday with homemade Costa Vida, and I volunteered to bring the cilantro lime rice. After dinner, I noticed she kept going back for more. Before long, she was eating it by the cupful! That’s when I knew this recipe was a winner. If you still aren’t convinced, I guess you’ll just have to make it for yourself. Sometimes tasting really is believing!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What you’ll need for this recipe:
Why I Use Jasmine Rice
Jasmine rice is my favorite for this recipe because it cooks up soft, fluffy, and slightly fragrant. It absorbs all of the buttery chicken broth while still keeping each grain tender and separate. The mild flavor also lets the lime and cilantro shine without overpowering the dish.
What to serve with Cilantro Lime Rice
Recipe Tips
Let it Rest: Allow the rice to sit for 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing it with a fork.
Use bottled or fresh lime juice: I usually use bottled lime juice because I always keep it in my pantry, but fresh lime juice works just as well.
Fresh or dried cilantro: Dried cilantro is what I usually use, but fresh cilantro will give the rice an even brighter flavor.
Freeze for later: Let the rice cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of water or chicken broth to bring back its fluffy texture.
Whether you’re serving tacos on Taco Tuesday or making homemade burrito bowls for dinner, this easy cilantro lime rice recipe is one side dish you’ll come back to again and again. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together in just 20 minutes with pantry-friendly ingredients. Once you try it, don’t be surprised if your family starts sneaking spoonfuls straight from the pot!
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan melt 1 TBSP Butter
- Add in rice and sauté for about a minute.
- Add in remaining ingredients (Chicken broth, salt, lime juice, cilantro, and cumin). Give everything a quick stir and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 min.
- Once done remove from heat and let stand for 5 mins.
- Fluff rice with fork, and serve with your favorite dish.
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Equipment
- 1 Medium Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP Butter
- 1 1/2 Cups Jasmine Rice
- 3 Cups Chicken Broth
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 TBSP Lime Juice
- 2 tsp Dry Cilantro* or 2 TBSP Fresh Cilantro
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan melt 1 TBSP butter.
- Add in rice and sauté for about a minute.
- Add in remaining ingredients (Chicken broth, salt, lime juice, cilantro, and cumin) give everything a quick stir and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 min.
- Once done remove from heat and let stand 5 mins.
- Fluff rice with a fork, and serve with your favorite dish.
