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Cilantro Lime Rice is a perfect side dish to accompany any dinner.
We eat Mexican food in our family at least once a week….sometimes twice! No matter the entree, you need some great side dishes to serve too.
My crock pot refried beans are a staple that I make often. The beans make a huge batch that I freeze in smaller portions. This Cilantro Lime Rice is another go to side dish for us. It’s packed full of flavor and can be made quickly.
Sometimes I also make some baked corn chips to serve with our meals.
Last night we attended the high school football game. Luckily we had fueled up with a filling dinner of tacos with shredded chicken and this cilantro lime rice.
Just before the end of the first half the game was delayed by lightening. Apparently once a lightening delay is called, you have to wait 30 minutes before play can resume….that’s 30 minutes after the last lightening strike. And wouldn’t you know it….we had a doozy of a storm. We ended up with a 1 1/2 hour delay. Yikes! Then once they played they finished the first half and had to take a ten minute break for half time!
Let me tell you, it was hard work sitting up in those bleachers for entire 3 1/2 hour game, but at least we were in a covered section. The away team had to take shelter during the deluge of a rain storm. The game was fun even though it ended 10-13 🙁
Let me know if you’ve made this delicious rice. You can comment below or take a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
A perfect rice to accompany any Mexican dish.
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 whole juice from 1 lime
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Place the rice in a large bowl. Cover with water. Swish rice with your hand. Drain and repeat 3 times.
- Put 2 cups water into a pot along with rice, bay leaf, and salt
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes until rice is tender.
- Fluff with a fork.
- Place in a bowl and pour lime juice over rice.
- Add chopped cilantro and mix lightly.
- Serve while still warm.
Rice can be made ahead of time and reheated.
38 Comments
Megan - The Emotional Baker
September 13, 2016 at 3:14 amWe love Mexican meals, too! I’ve tried cilantro lime rice, but hadn’t quite perfected it – can’t wait to try this version 🙂
Kathy
September 14, 2016 at 6:47 pmBe prepared to fall in love with it! 🙂
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
September 8, 2016 at 8:18 amKathy, looks lovely with the green bits and I do love the taste of cilantro and lime.
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:27 pmIt tastes great and looks so fresh too!
Rahul @samosastreet.com
September 7, 2016 at 4:15 pmIt reminds me of one such college football game I attended..
I love all the flavors in this rice, addition of bay leaf does add a little something earthy to the rice.
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:26 pmYou’d never know it was in there, but it definitely adds flavor.
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
September 7, 2016 at 1:25 pmAs a huge fan of Mexican food, I can see this lime rice becoming a staple.
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:25 pmSo quick, easy, and delicious!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
September 7, 2016 at 12:24 pmUs too! We eat mexican at least once a week (and usually more). Pass me a bowl of this cilantro rice!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:25 pmA big bowl is coming your way!
annie@ciaochowbambina.com
September 7, 2016 at 11:21 amSo, something is happening to my tastebuds…I could never (I mean ever) eat cilantro, for some reason it always tasted soapy to me, however, I am slowly but surely beginning to enjoy it. I’m going to have to try this!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:25 pmCilantro is one of those herbs that people love or hate….glad you are coming over to the love side 🙂
Amanda
September 7, 2016 at 9:25 amOh my goodness. I need this rice right now! These are the flavors I crave, and I love jazzing up rice!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:24 pmLime….cilantro….and other Mexican food! Yes!!! 🙂
Balvinder
September 7, 2016 at 9:08 amThis looks absolutely delicious and fresh! I often make this rice at home and also get it when ever we order Mexican.
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:24 pmIt is really delicious!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
September 6, 2016 at 10:14 amI wish I liked cilantro…I do like lime though! I think I will sub in parsley and give this a whirl!
Kathy
September 7, 2016 at 5:04 amUsing parsley instead sounds like a good idea. Let me know how it turns out!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
September 6, 2016 at 9:53 amThe delay is worth it for football!!! The season has begun with quite a “spark”! This rice looks over the top delicious, I have never made cilantro lime rice – but I shopped at Aldi yesterday and picked up limes and cilantro…so…naturally I’ve to try this! Perfect side for taco night!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:23 pmI hope the rice was a hit in your house! We are hoping no more delays to the game!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
September 6, 2016 at 6:16 amWow, an hour and 1/2 delay?? That’s crazy.. I can imagine it would be hard for the players to get back in the game after that! Anyways, we eat Mexican A LOT too and cilantro lime rice is like a requirement for a side. 😉 LOVE yours, Kathy!! Looks just perfect! Cheers, friend!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:22 pmSo truly the hardest part was sitting in those bleachers….who designs those things? So hard to sit and watch a game!
David @ Spiced
September 6, 2016 at 5:27 amAh, yes! The return of football season! 🙂 Sorry for the early season loss, but it sounds like it was a good game…delays and all. Speaking of good, this rice is definitely a keeper of a recipe. Perfect side dish for so many different recipes. Hope you guys had a great weekend!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:21 pmThis rice is a keeper! We’ve made it several times and it’s always a hit.
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
September 6, 2016 at 5:24 amI’m not a football fan, but love all the food that usually goes along with the festivities.
I love Mexican food too, Kathy, and love the addition of cilantro and lime that you’ve added to this rice. Your crockpot refried beans sounds like something I would love too! Both of them would be fabulous sides 🙂 Yum!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:20 pmGreat side dishes are the best! They just make a main dish even more complete!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
September 5, 2016 at 11:16 pmLovely flavors for this rice dish, Kathy! We have Mexican quite often, too, at our house, but never had cilantro lime rice…it’s time to start! 🙂
Kathy
September 6, 2016 at 4:46 amIt is time to start! You are going to love it!
Velva
September 5, 2016 at 5:47 pmWhat a great way to liven up rice! Love it. Looks really good.
Velva
Kathy
September 6, 2016 at 4:48 amThanks! 🙂
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
September 5, 2016 at 3:37 amIt sounds like an intense game! Side dishes are often overlooked but are so important for a great meal. Your Cilantro Lime Rice sounds so flavoursome!
Kathy
September 9, 2016 at 7:18 pmNothing like a great high school football game! 🙂
Kaylene @ The Links Site
September 4, 2016 at 1:18 amI often have rice as a side dish but never think to add some extra flavor. This looks delicious, I’ll have to give it a try next time!
Kathy
September 6, 2016 at 4:57 amThere are times you need plain rice and then times when you need it dressed up a bit!
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
September 3, 2016 at 3:01 pm3.5 hours for a football game?- you must have arrived home at about midnight! This rice dish looks like a good soothing accompaniment to offset a spicy dinner!
Kathy
September 6, 2016 at 4:57 amIt was a late night! I was glad to get home and tucked into bed!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
September 3, 2016 at 6:57 amI never really think of jazzing up my boring old white rice Kathy, but this sounds delicious! I’ll definitely try this next time I serve tacos.
Kathy
September 3, 2016 at 8:25 amSometimes we need a little sprucing up!