This fluffy cilantro-lime rice is zesty, fragrant perfection, bursting with tangy fresh lime and herby cilantro flavor, like a little green and citrusy hug for your mouth. It’s got that Tex-Mex vibe that makes any taco, burrito bowl, or "shoveling it straight into your mouth" moment feel like a win. It'll take your taste buds straight to Cafe Rio!
This cilantro-lime rice is so good it will make you want to ditch the main course, but it also parties well with chicken fajitas, ground beef tacos, or pork carnitas. My family loves to eat this rice with spicy tomatillo ranch dressing (another Cafe Rio copycat) for an over-the-top flavor fiesta!
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Why You Will Love This Amazing Rice
This delicious rice brings the perfect blend of flavor, simplicity, and affordability.
- Budget friendly--You'll get maximum flavor for a minimal grocery spend.
- Pantry ingredients--This dish uses pantry staples with a zesty twist of lime and fresh cilantro to elevate any meal.
- Super easy--It’s incredibly easy to make, with foolproof steps that guarantee fluffy, restaurant-quality results every time.
Ingredients
Fluffy cilantro-lime rice is packed with bold, simple flavors.
- chicken broth
- long-grain white rice
- lime juice
- lime zest
- cilantro
- olive oil
- salt
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cilantro-Lime Rice
With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, cilantro-lime rice makes a super quick and delicious side dish.
- Place the rice in a cooking pot and rinse with water 1-2 times to remove extra starch. Drain. Add chicken broth and olive oil to the rice and bring to a boil on the stove. Cover the pot with a lid, turn the heat down to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes without stirring. (I like to use basmati rice for this dish, but if you use a rice with different cooking time just follow the directions for your specific rice, replacing the liquid with chicken broth.)
- While the rice is cooking, zest the lime. Use a microplane or the fine side of a box grater to gently scrape off the bright green outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. You should only need the zest from one lime to reach 1 teaspoon.
- Slice and juice limes until you have 3 tablespoons of juice (probably 1-½ to 2 limes).
- Chop the leaves and small stems of the cilantro until you have ½ cup.
5. Remove the rice from heat when the grains are tender and all liquid is absorbed. Stir and fluff the rice.
6. Add the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro to the rice and stir to combine. Add ½ teaspoon salt to taste if necessary. Serve immediately.
Hint: For the best flavor, add the cilantro and lime juice after the rice is cooked and fluffed. This keeps the herbs fresh and vibrant and prevents the lime juice from turning bitter during cooking.
Don't Forget to Wash Your Rice
Rinsing the uncooked rice until the water is clear is an important step to remove excess starch, which helps prevent the cooked from becoming sticky and ensures the grains are light and fluffy.
Substitutions
Here are some great substitutions for your cilantro-lime rice:
- Rice - Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa for a healthier or nuttier twist.
- Olive oil - Any neutral oil can be substituted for olive oil.
- Cilantro - Use parsley, green onions, or fresh basil if cilantro isn’t your favorite.
- Lime - Replace lime with lemon for a slightly different citrus flavor.
Mix It Up
Here are some tasty variations for cilantro-lime rice:
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Coconut Lime Rice: Replace some of the broth with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor.
- Garlic-Lime Rice: Sauté minced garlic in oil or butter and mix into the cooked rice for a savory variation.
- Lemon-Cilantro Rice: Use lemon zest and juice instead of lime for a tangy twist.
Equipment
Here’s the equipment you’ll need to make cilantro-lime rice:
- Medium to Large Saucepan - For cooking the rice.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons - To measure rice, water, and seasonings accurately.
- Microplane/Zester - For zesting the lime.
- Knife and Cutting Board - To chop the fresh cilantro.
- Juicer or Reamer - To squeeze fresh lime juice efficiently (optional but helpful).
- Mixing Spoon - To combine the lime juice, zest, and cilantro into the rice.
With these tools, you’re set up for an easy, delicious dish!
How to Store Cilantro-Lime Rice
To store cilantro-lime rice, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to restore moisture and fluff it with a fork to keep the texture light and fluffy. For the best flavor, stir in a little fresh lime juice and cilantro just before serving.
The Perfect Rice
Long-grain white rice is ideal for making fluffy cilantro-lime rice because its grains stay separate and light when cooked. It has less starch than short-grain rice, which helps prevent clumping and creates a perfect base for absorbing the bright lime and fresh cilantro flavors. Its neutral taste also complements the zesty, herby profile of this dish, making it a go-to choice for delicious results. I like to use basmati rice, but American long-grain rice or jasmine rice will also work great here!
FAQ
Yes, you can use brown rice, but it will require a longer cooking time. Be sure to adjust the liquid and cooking time according to the package instructions.
Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch, and fluff the rice with a fork after cooking. Also, avoid overcooking the rice to maintain its light texture.
Yes! You can cook the rice ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just reheat with a bit of water or broth to bring it back to life.
Yes, just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Fresh cilantro provides the best flavor, but if you don’t have it you can use dried cilantro. Add 2 tablespoons of dried cilantro instead of ½ cup fresh.
Absolutely! Just follow the directions for your rice cooker, substituting chicken broth for the water.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with fluffy cilantro-lime rice:
Fluffy Cilantro-Lime Rice (Cafe Rio Copycat)
Equipment
- medium to large saucepan to cook the rice
- measuring cups and spoons to measure rice, broth, and seasonings accurately
- microplane/zester for zesting the lime
- chef's knife and cutting board to chop the limes and cilantro
- zester or reamer (optional) to juice the limes efficiently
- mixing spoon To combine the lime juice, zest, and cilantro into the rice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (from one lime)
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (from two limes)
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Instructions
- Place the rice in a cooking pot and rinse with water 1-2 times to remove extra starch, until the water is clear. Drain.
- Add chicken broth and olive oil to the rice and bring to a boil on the stove. Cover the pot with a lid, turn the heat down to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes without stirring.
- While the rice is cooking, zest the lime. Use a microplane or the fine side of a box grater to gently scrape off the bright green outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. You should only need the zest from one lime to reach 1 teaspoon.
- Slice and juice limes until you have 3 tablespoons of juice (probably 1-½ to 2 limes).
- Chop the leaves and small stems of the cilantro until you have ½ cup.
- Remove the rice from heat when the grains are tender and all liquid is absorbed. Stir and fluff the rice.
- Add the lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro to the rice and stir to combine. Add ½ teaspoon salt to taste if necessary. Serve immediately.
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