This delicious and healthy recipe is perfect for a light spring meal or a simple family dinner. With the combination of cilantro, lime juice, and honey, it’s a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more.
Additionally, this recipe is great for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for other delicious recipes, you might want to check out the lemon sandwich cookies with cream for a sweet treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cilantro lime chicken with rice is a healthy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for anyone looking for a new recipe to add to their collection. Moreover, it’s incredibly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
Furthermore, the combination of cilantro, lime juice, and honey creates a unique and refreshing flavor profile that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Consequently, this recipe is great for a family dinner or a special occasion. Meanwhile, the lemon curd sandwich cookies are another great option for a sweet treat.
Recipe
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Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A healthy and flavorful dish made with chicken breasts, rice, black beans, corn, and red bell peppers, all mixed with a delicious cilantro lime sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lime zest (30 to 45 g)
- 1/3 cup lime juice (80 ml)
- 1/3 cup honey (80 g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for sauce (30 ml) + 1 tablespoon for cooking chicken (15 ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (2 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (2 g)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (1 g) (optional)
- about 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (565 g) (diced into bite-sized pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper)
- about 3 cups cooked rice (420 g)
- one 15-ounce can black beans (425 g) (drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup corn (160 g)
- 3/4 cup red bell pepper (90 g) (seeded and diced small)
- 3/4 cup cilantro leaves (15 g) (chopped; or to taste)
Instructions
- To a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add the lime zest, lime juice, honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, optional cayenne, and whisk to combine; set sauce aside.
- To a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently so all sides cook evenly.
- Add the sauce, noting that it may bubble up in the first few seconds. Allow sauce to bubble at a medium-fast boil for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce has reduced some and chicken is cooked through.
- Turn the heat to low and add the rice, black beans, corn, red peppers, cilantro, stir well to combine, and cook until everything is heated through. Taste and check for seasoning balance, making any necessary adjustments.
- Garnish with a pinch of lime zest before serving.
Notes
- Will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Serve cold or reheat gently prior to serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 747 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 584 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 109 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 32 g
Ingredients and Substitutions
Base Components
The base components of this recipe include chicken breasts, rice, black beans, corn, and red bell peppers. Additionally, the sauce is made with lime zest, lime juice, honey, and olive oil. However, if you’re looking for substitutions, you can use other types of protein like tofu or tempeh. Meanwhile, the lemon gooey butter cookies are a great option for a sweet treat.
Sauce and Seasonings
The sauce is made with lime zest, lime juice, honey, and olive oil. Moreover, the seasonings include salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Furthermore, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your taste. Consequently, if you prefer a milder sauce, you can omit the cayenne pepper altogether.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice
Step 1
To start, you’ll need to prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, honey, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Set the sauce aside.
Step 2
Next, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently, until the chicken is about 90% cooked through.
Step 3
Then, add the sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a medium-fast boil and cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced some and the chicken is cooked through. Stir the sauce and flip the chicken intermittently throughout.
Step 4
After that, reduce the heat to low and add the cooked rice, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, and cilantro to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook until everything is heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Pro Tips for Success
To ensure success with this recipe, make sure to cook the chicken until it’s about 90% cooked through before adding the sauce. Additionally, don’t overcook the chicken, as it can become dry and tough. Furthermore, adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your taste, and omit it altogether if you prefer a milder sauce.
Flavor Variations
There are several ways to vary the flavor of this recipe. For example, you can add diced onions or garlic to the skillet with the chicken for added flavor. Moreover, you can use different types of protein, such as tofu or tempeh, for a vegetarian or vegan option. Consequently, the possibilities are endless, and you can experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is perfect for a light spring meal or a simple family dinner. Additionally, it’s great for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Furthermore, you can serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad for a well-rounded meal.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
This recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days. Additionally, you can freeze it for up to 2 months and reheat it gently prior to serving. Consequently, it’s a great option for meal prep or a quick dinner on a busy night.
Nutrition Facts per Serving
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Fiber | Sugar | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 747 kcal | 20 g | 109 g | 32 g | 7 g | 18 g | 584 mg |
FAQs About Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice
Can I use other types of protein?
Yes, you can use other types of protein, such as tofu or tempeh, for a vegetarian or vegan option. Additionally, you can use chicken thighs or a combination of chicken breasts and thighs for added flavor.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. Reheat it gently prior to serving.
Can I adjust the amount of cayenne pepper?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your taste. Omit it altogether if you prefer a milder sauce.
Final Thoughts
This cilantro lime chicken with rice is a healthy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for anyone looking for a new recipe to add to their collection. With its unique flavor profile and ease of preparation, it’s a great option for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Consequently, give it a try and enjoy the delicious combination of cilantro, lime juice, and honey.
