Half-Salt Cilantro Lime Rice
A fragrant rice dish with a half-salt, half-cilantro balance, perfect for pairing with any Mexican protein. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 40 minutes pairs Long Grain Rice, Chicken Broth, Cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Long Grain Rice
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 cup Cilantro
- 1 medium Lime
- 1/2 tsp Coarse Salt
- 1 clove Garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain rice in cold water until water runs clear. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a pot, sauté 1 minced garlic clove in 1 tsp oil over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: While rice cooks, blend 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp coarse salt into a paste. Stir into the rice and mix thoroughly. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime zest.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Salt Cilantro Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-Salt Cilantro Lime Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep long grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Salt Cilantro Lime Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-Salt Cilantro Lime Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-Salt Cilantro Lime Rice?
Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
