By Becky Hardin
Updated Sep 1, 2025
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this light and zesty Cilantro Lime Rice has become one of my go-to side dishes. The fresh lime juice and bright cilantro bring so much flavor, yet it’s still mild enough to pair with just about anything. I love serving it alongside tacos, grilled chicken, or seafood, and it’s always a hit when I’m building burrito bowls at home. Easy, versatile, and budget-friendly—you really can’t go wrong with this recipe!
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Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
Make rice the star of your meals with this delectable Cilantro Lime Rice! This rice recipe couldn’t be easier; I find it’s perfect to have in my back pocket as part of my easy weeknight meals.
For this recipe, I added half of the cilantro to the rice while it cooks to help infuse the cilantro flavor into the rice, and then the balance once it is finished cooking. When the cilantro is cooked, it tends to take on a slightly different flavor than the fresh cilantro, adding a greater depth of flavor to your rice. For an even more citrusy flavor, I sometimes add freshly grated lime zest. Combined with the cilantro, it makes for an uber flavorful side.
This cilantro lime rice is great for Asian and Mexican dishes, as well as on its own with any protein, like chicken or pork. Thanks to one of my lovely readers for sending this in!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 tbsp salted butter ¼ stick, unsalted also works
- ▢ 1¼ cup dry long-grain white rice*
- ▢ 2 tbsp lime juice from 1 lime, jarred also works
- ▢ ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ▢ 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth** store bought is also an option
- ▢ ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro divided
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized skillet. 2 tbsp salted butter
- Add in the dry rice, lime juice, salt, cumin, chicken broth, and half of the cilantro (2 tablespoons). Stir until combined. 1¼ cup dry long-grain white rice*, 2 tbsp lime juice, ¾ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground cumin, 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth**, ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Bring rice to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice has been cooked through.
- Stir in the second half (2 tablespoons) fresh cilantro.
- Garnish with additional cilantro and fresh limes, optional.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice Step by Step
Make the rice: In a medium-sized skillet, over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter.
Stir in 1¼ cup white rice, 2 tbsp lime juice, ¾ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground cumin, 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth, and ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat so that it simmers. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice has softened. Taste to make sure it has cooked through.
Serve: Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp of freshly chopped cilantro, garnish with a few more sprigs and fresh limes, and serve.
How to Store
Your cilantro lime rice will last for four to six days in the refrigerator. Make sure that it is sealed in an airtight container.
This is a great meal prep recipe you can mix and match with lots of other dishes. I love having a batch of this rice in the fridge, knowing it will pair well with a variety of mains.
Serving Suggestions
Cilantro lime rice is a great side dish to serve with any Mexican/Tex-Mex dish like creamy chicken enchiladas , or Southwestern cowboy chicken . I find it also goes well with chicken stir fry too.
OTHER RICE DISHES WE LOVE
Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Basmati Rice (Stovetop Method)
Garlic Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp salted butter ¼ stick, unsalted also works
- 1¼ cup dry long-grain white rice*
- 2 tbsp lime juice from 1 lime, jarred also works
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth** store bought is also an option
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro divided
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized skillet. 2 tbsp salted butter
- Add in the dry rice, lime juice, salt, cumin, chicken broth, and half of the cilantro (2 tablespoons). Stir until combined. 1¼ cup dry long-grain white rice*, 2 tbsp lime juice, ¾ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp ground cumin, 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth**, ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Bring rice to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice has been cooked through.
- Stir in the second half (2 tablespoons) fresh cilantro.
- Garnish with additional cilantro and fresh limes, optional.
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
