This fluffy cilantro lime rice is amped up with sauted onions, garlic and then of course loads of fresh cilantro and lime juice! It’s a hearty side dish that’ll brighten up your dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Rice
This homemade garlic-cilantro lime rice is an easy way to pack more Tex-Mex vibes into your weeknight dinners.
- Tex-Mex inspired. The herby cilantro-lime flavor combination is classic for Tex-Mex recipes.
- Quick. It’s ready in just 20 minutes!
- Great for weeknights. Rice is a super versatile side you can pair with different main dishes throughout the week.
- Refreshing. Cilantro and tangy lime juice turn this cilantro lime rice into a refreshing recipe for the summer.
Recipe Ingredients
Sweet onions and garlic add lots of fragrance to this Tex-Mex rice dish. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.
- Avocado oil – Olive, coconut, and vegetable oil work too.
- Onion – Use white or yellow onions.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic and garlic paste are best.
- Jasmine rice – Basmati rice is a good swap.
- Chicken broth – Feel free to use veggie stock or water.
- Lime zest – It must be fresh zest.
- Lime juice – Lemon juice can be used instead.
- Cilantro – Avoid dried cilantro because it can make the rice slightly bitter.
Can I Use Other Types Of Rice?
Absolutely! Just prepare it according to package instructions, though. Brown rice and basmati are some of my favorites for this. Wild rice works too but it has an earthier, slightly bitter flavor that might overpower the rest of the meal.
How To Make Cilantro And Lime Rice
It’s just like making your favorite rice but with a zesty, tangy touch at the very end. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.
- Cook the onions. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté them for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook it for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Stir in the rice.
- Simmer it. Pour in the chicken stock. Bring it to a boil and then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Cook it for 5 minutes and then remove it from the heat.
- Serve it. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice. Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Spicy jalapeños and juicy chicken can turn this side dish into the star of your dinner menu.
- Swap the grain. Cook millet, quinoa, or bulgur according to package instructions and add in the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir in the lime juice, zest, and cilantro at the end.
- Use non-stick. While stainless steel pots are great, it’s easier for the rice to stick and burn. Make this recipe practically fail-proof by using a non-stick pot.
- Add veggies. Stir in 1/4-1/2 cup corn, peas, diced carrots, or sautéed mushrooms into the onion-garlic mixture for a heartier bite.
- Make it spicy. Thinly slice 1/4-1/2 fresh jalapeño or serrano chili and mix it into the rice once it’s done for a kick of heat.
- Cover it. Once the rice is ready, remove the rice from the heat but keep it covered with the lid for another 5-10 minutes. Doing so helps it finish steaming properly to prevent mushy rice.
- Add protein. Turn this rice into a main dish by adding leftover Air Fryer Chicken Breast, shredded turkey, or Air Fryer Shrimp.
What To Serve With Cilantro Lime Rice
This cilantro lime rice is an easy side for your Tex-Mex dinners. Serve it with my Salsa Verde Carne Asada or Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa. My Turkey Stuffed Poblano Peppers and Grilled Ribeye Steak are great too. I also love using it for my Chicken Burrito Bowl. For side dish ideas, try my Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños or Avocado Corn Salad.
Proper Storage
I don’t recommend freezing because the rice will lose its texture once thawed.
- Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Discard immediately if the rice feels sticky.
- To reheat it: Microwave it in 15-second increments until warm. You can also heat it in a pan for 7-8 minutes over medium-high heat.
More Tex-Mex Inspired Recipes
- Tex-Mex Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Chicken Burrito Bowl
- My Favorite Chili Lime Grilled Corn Salad
- Vegetarian Crepe Quesadillas with Chipotle Lime Crema
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Description
This zesty cilantro lime rice recipe with fragrant garlic and sautéed onions is an easy 20-minute side for weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup of minute jasmine rice
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large pot to medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and onions to pan. Saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, and then add garlic. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Stir in Jasmine Rice. Cook for 30 seconds and add in chicken stock.
- Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Fluff rice and stir in lime zest, lime juice and fresh cilantro.
- Serve.
8 comments on “Cilantro Lime Rice”
What an excellent recipe! Thank you so much.
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Krista, I love rice and honestly, don’t really do too much to it on it’s own…how neglectful I’ve been! I need to let it stand on its own instead of always mixing it into something else. This sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing the recipe and pinning!
I tend to do the same thing, but thinking of Cinco de Mayo I thought I would amp up a side that most people neglect. 🙂 Thanks for pinning and stopping by, always makes my day to see your smiling face. {or profile picture.. since I dont REALLY see your face} hehe. 🙂
Speaking of movies…just heard they’re in the writing process of the sequel to Magic Mike movie. I still have to go see the first one..have you?
I’m thinking of celebrating the holiday this weekend with the kids (I’ll be having my niece and nephew) and teach them about the holiday. The other half of their fam lives and is from Mexico. So I’ll be making this most fabulous rice recipe of yours! Pinning, JUST in case my hubs throws the printed paper away..thinking it’s garbage. Believe me, he gets in trouble! hehe
Nope.. I don’t need to go see it. I have my own “magic mike” at home {my husbands name is Mike… hehe.} Just learned something new about you… love that! I totally didn’t realize that your family was from mexico! Thats sweet, so this holiday is personal to you. I hope my recipe lives up to those flavorful dishes you have on your end girl! 🙂 Hope you love it and have an awesome time with the family!
Now doesn’t that look good- printing this one off now.
Yah! Hope you enjoy. 🙂 I hope you have more patience than I do, I was hovering the rice like a hawk waiting for it to finish. 🙂