Sautéed Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans
Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and served with zesty cilantro-lime rice and seasoned black beans for a balanced Latin American-inspired meal. This latin american-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/3 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1/2 tsp ground smoked paprika
- 1/2 small, finely diced onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp chili powder. Add chicken to skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and keep warm.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup long grain white rice and 1/2 tsp salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 18 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 3: Stir 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tbsp lime juice into the cooked rice to make cilantro-lime rice. Cover and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet used for chicken, add 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/2 finely diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
- Step 5: Serve the sautéed chicken sliced atop a bed of cilantro-lime rice with a side of seasoned black beans.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Sautéed Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans?
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 Sautéed Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Sautéed Chicken with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Black Beans gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
