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A bowl of cilantro lime rice next to a juicer and a bowl of lime
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4.99 from 51 votes

Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice

This Cilantro Lime Rice copycat is the perfect side dish for all your Mexican-inspired meals. Great as a filling in a burrito or salad.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican/Spanish
Keyword: Cilantro Lime Rice, Side, Side Dish
Servings: 4
Calories: 194kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rice uncooked, long-grain, white rice
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 15 ounces chicken broth
  • salt (to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro fresh chopped

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 teaspoon lime, chicken broth, and salt.
    Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook on low 15-18 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat and keep covered another 5-7 minutes.
    A pot with rice, butter, chicken broth, and water in it
  • In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro.
    A large pot of cooked white rice and a small bowl of cilantro lime mixture
  • Pour the mixture over hot, cooked rice a little as you fluff the rice with a fork. Taste as you go, you may not want all the lime mixture. Adjust to taste. Mix until fully combined.
    A bowl of cilantro lime rice topped with a lime wedge and a cilantro leaf

Video

Notes

RECIPE UPDATE:
*** This recipe has been updated to reflect a reduction in liquid needed for the rice. Previously an additional cup of water was added but upon re-testing we have found that it is better without the extra liquid***
Make sure you use fresh cilantro! Dried cilantro just won't cut it. Using fresh gives the rice an incredible flavor.
For a little extra flavor, sauté a little finely dice onion in some butter in the saucepan before adding the remaining ingredients.
To make Instant Pot Cilantro Lime rice, combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 teaspoon lime, chicken broth, and salt to the Instant Pot and follow the instructions to make our easy Instant Pot rice. Continue with Step 2 in the recipe below. If doubling or tripling this recipe for the Instant Pot, reduce the amount of liquid by 1/8 for a double batch and by 1/4 cup for a triple batch.

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg