Sautéed Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Rice

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

Juicy chicken breasts cooked in a zesty garlic lime sauce paired with fluffy cilantro-infused rice for a vibrant, fresh meal. This latin american-inspired no cook ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken breast, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breast
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp ground cumin. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Step 3: In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 5 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Pour in 1/4 cup fresh lime juice and let the sauce bubble and reduce slightly, coating the chicken.
4. Step 4: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro until evenly distributed. Serve the chicken breasts on a bed of cilantro rice, spooning the garlic lime sauce over the top.