I love Cilantro Lime Rice
I guess I need to say a bit more, although that sums up my feelings on the matter rather nicely.
I am not sure when I first encountered this version of rice and my love affair began.
It should have made more of impact since I am obsessed with it now. But if I see it on a menu, I will order it. Sadly, I am often disappointed. Most restaurant versions are lackluster, minuscule hint of lime and cilantro that barely registers on the taste buds.
There was no other option; I had to create my own version. I wanted the tartness of the limes to shine through and I wanted that ever distinct taste of cilantro to leave no doubt of its presence.
Cilantro Lime Rice for a crowd!
For this recipe, I made enough to feed eight people, as I was having a dinner party. But I will provide directions in parenthesis to halve this recipe. For this particular recipe I used chicken broth, but vegetable broth is a perfect substitute. A quarter cup of fresh lime juice is about 2 limes, give or take, depending on their size.
Want to make a full meal? Try this Cilantro Lime Rice with one of these entrees and one of these sides:
Entrees:
- Citrus Marinated Skillet Chicken Fajitas: These will pair fantastically with the matching citrus notes.
- Mixed Grill with Chimichurri Parrillada: This meat heaven will beg for this rice.
- Chicken Alambre: A taco dish you didn’t know you were missing.
- Steak Picado: A restaurant favorite of steak, onions, peppers, and tomatoes.
Sides:
- Easy Charro Beans: One of the best frijoles dishes you’ll ever encounter.
- Quicker Authentic Mexican Black Beans: All the flavor of your favorite restaurant version.
- Green Chile Corn: Fresh corn on the cob served in a fresh way!

Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy long grain white rice flavored with cilantro and lime, an upgrade to the plain old rice on your dinner table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice (1 cup)
- 2 cups broth (1 cup)
- 2 cups water (1 cup)
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro (1/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (2 tbsp.)
- 2 cloves garlic; minced/grated (1 clove)
- Pinch of salt (same)
Instructions
-
Cook rice according to package time directions, using both the broth and the water.
-
Chop the cilantro and juice the limes.
-
Once the rice is done and while it is still warm, add the cilantro, garlic, lime juice and salt. Fluff it with a fork until the cilantro is equally distributed.
-
Serve and devour, forks totally optional and face first is acceptable.
32 Comments
Kristine
June 24, 2014 at 7:09 amI love cilantro lime rice! Great post!
Michelle
June 24, 2014 at 10:46 pmThanks Kristine. I’m happy to know I am in good company with loving cilantro lime rice.
Toni
March 3, 2016 at 9:34 amHow many calories for a serving
Michelle De La Cerda
March 3, 2016 at 10:45 amI updated the nutritional info in the recipe. There are 116 calories per serving which is 1/2 cup cooked rice. Hope that helps.
Terri S
June 24, 2014 at 1:08 pmThis looks incredible! Thank you so much for sharing.
Terri
June 24, 2014 at 10:47 pmThank you Terri, I went a bit crazy with taking pictures, I was having fun with the red crockery. The rice was just fantastic. Perfect balance of lime and cilantro.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
July 24, 2014 at 7:20 amI adore cilantro lime rice and the pots you cooked them in are so pretty! I think I could eat a whole one myself.
Michelle
July 24, 2014 at 5:50 pmErin, I adore the rice too. The crock are individually portion-size. They are fun.
Grilled Cuban Pork Chops
March 21, 2015 at 12:00 am[…] be a hit with even your pickiest eater. Dinner was served up with some fantastic side dishes. Cilantro Lime Rice a mild rice made fragrant with lime and cilantro. White Corn and Black Beans Fresh summer corn […]
Arman @ thebigmansworld
April 15, 2015 at 1:19 amNow I can actually make the mock chipotle bowls- Winning!
Michelle
April 16, 2015 at 11:28 amI think they might add a bit of butter to theirs and try basmati rice instead of regular long grain white….but not 100% sure.
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
April 15, 2015 at 6:21 amI love cilantro lime rice too!! Those little bowls are adorable!
Michelle
April 16, 2015 at 11:28 amThank you Aimee. They are fun bowls.
Kellie
June 17, 2015 at 6:21 pmWhat kind of broth ???
Michelle
June 17, 2015 at 6:23 pmMy standby is chicken because it’s clearer than veggie broth.
Lime Cilantro Rice - Everday Made Fresh
July 28, 2015 at 2:01 am[…] having lost it, I’m thankful for Pinterest! (are you following me?) Anyways. This recipe from The Complete Savorist came up in my feed one day and I thought, “wow, we haven’t had that in […]
Brooke of Passport Couture
December 9, 2015 at 12:01 pmCan’t go wrong with the flavors Cilantro and Lime!
Michelle De La Cerda
December 9, 2015 at 12:57 pmI completely agree with you.
KiAnna
February 12, 2016 at 3:33 pmWhat kind of broth should I use??
Michelle De La Cerda
February 12, 2016 at 3:35 pmI usually use chicken to keep the color of the rice light. But you could use vegetable.
Meal Plan #83 | TheWriteBalance.ca - One Mom's Quest For The Perfect Balance
February 14, 2016 at 11:01 am[…] – Seasoned tilapia with cilantro rice and brussels […]
Linda Heil
April 12, 2016 at 9:54 pmMade this tonight to go along enchiladas. The family loved the rice.Great recipie and easy to make.
Michelle De La Cerda
April 13, 2016 at 5:28 pmI am so happy to hear that! Thank you for letting me know.
Eboni
May 23, 2016 at 5:17 pmI will be making his tonight for dinner side dish. Thanks for sharing!????
Michelle De La Cerda
May 24, 2016 at 2:52 pmHope you enjoy it!
karen
June 18, 2016 at 11:46 pmI plan on making this for a bridal shower, but would need to make it the day before– how will it reheat?
Michelle De La Cerda
June 19, 2016 at 11:29 amI reheated the left overs and it was fine. Microwave at lower temps. I always cover with damp paper towel as well.
Rachel
July 8, 2016 at 1:57 pmI want to make this rice tonight bit don’t have a lime. Do you think I could sub in lemon?
Michelle De La Cerda
July 8, 2016 at 2:12 pmI have never used lemon as a substitute in this dish. I am always one up for trying new things though. Start by adding 1/2 the amount of lemon, fluff, taste, and add more lemon until it is flavored throughout.
Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken | Positively Yumsters
August 21, 2016 at 12:37 pm[…] it with fresh steamed asparagus, broccoli or a simple tossed salad. You can serve it with this Cilantro Lime Rice. It tastes way better that Chipotle’s. We use Basmati rice and add extra garlic (of […]
family friendly weeknight dinners this week - (cool) progeny
October 2, 2016 at 8:42 am[…] taco Tuesday and whip up these Maple Chipotle Salmon Tacos. All you need is a side of Cilantro Lime Rice and dinner is […]
Mexican Chicken Sweet Potato Skillet - Dutch Oven Daddy
December 1, 2020 at 3:48 pm[…] rice? Here’s 3 options from The Complete Savorist: Spanish Rice, the traditional side dish; Cilantro Lime Rice, a bright, light option; or Cuban Yellow Rice, another traditional […]