One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken and Cilantro Rice
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This Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe is one of those dinners that comes together in one pan, in 30 minutes, and cleanup is a breeze. Juicy and tender cilantro lime chicken paired with a soft buttery cilantro rice. is quick, easy, and full of flavor. We also like to top it with Strawberry Pineapple Mango Salsa when I have time to make it.
Ingredients
The full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions is at the bottom of this post. You can save a tree and the recipe to your personal and private recipe box here on Call Me PMc. This way, you’ll never misplace it.
- chicken breasts
- extra virgin olive oil
- limes
- fresh cilantro
- honey
- cayenne pepper
- ground cumin
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- rice
- unsalted butter
- garlic
- chicken broth
Cilantro Lime Chicken Cooking Tips
- For extra tender chicken, try marinating it in the lime juice and spices for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flavors to really soak in.
- Make sure your chicken is an even thickness. You can use a mallet to pound them to an equal size if needed.
- When cooking the rice, let it simmer with the lid on to ensure it absorbs all the broth and flavors without getting mushy.
- Add a little extra lime juice at the end if you want an extra zesty kick to both the chicken and the rice.
Cilantro Lime Chicken FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work well and add a bit more flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly. Thighs may take longer to cook through.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can make the chicken and rice, store them separately, and reheat them when ready to serve. The flavors actually get better after a day in the fridge.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. You may also need to add more broth to ensure the rice is fully cooked.
What if I don’t like cilantro?
If cilantro isn’t your favorite, you can swap it out with parsley for a more mild flavor without losing the freshness.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep and can I freeze it?
Yes, allow it to cool completely and freeze in an airtight container or in individual serving containers for 1 month.
Conclusion
One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken and Cilantro Rice is a simple yet satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or even meal prep. The fresh lime and cilantro flavor combination makes it a standout dish, and you can easily adjust it to suit your taste. Plus, with everything cooking in one pan, cleanup is quick and easy. This recipe is a great way to bring fresh, bold flavors to your table without a lot of fuss.
One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken and Cilantro Rice
Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Chicken
- 4 small (1 lb | 453 g) chicken breasts skinless & boneless or thighs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium limes juiced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped (0.17 oz | 5 grams)
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- ½ tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Sea salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in addition to the oil listed above.
Cilantro Rice
- 1 ½ cups (13.22 oz | 375 g) rice uncooked
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- ½ cup (0.35oz | 10g) cilantro chopped
- 3 cups (23.36 fluid oz | 750 ml) chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 320 F | 160 C.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place them on a plate. Combine the other ingredients in a small bowl.
- Brush chicken with and marinate for 15 minutes. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat. Add oil to pan and sear chicken on each side for 6 to 7 minutes. Remove, place in an ovenproof dish and keep warm in the oven.
- Place the same skillet back on the stove and heat on medium heat. Add rice, butter, garlic and cilantro. Stir and pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer on medium heat. Decrease the heat to low, cover, and allow to cook for 10-12 minutes (or for the amount of time listed on the rice package) until the rice is cooked and tender.
- Uncover and stir with a fork. Turn off the heat. Place chicken on the rice and garnish with lime and cilantro, if desired.
- Serve immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.