Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
Transform your mealtime with the vibrant flavors of Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice—a fresh, zesty, and aromatic side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite Mexican-inspired meals. Made with fluffy long-grain white rice simmered in a savory blend of chicken broth and butter, this recipe is elevated with the bright tang of fresh lime juice, fragrant lime zest, and a generous handful of chopped cilantro. A touch of garlic, sugar, and kosher salt rounds out the flavors, making it an irresistible addition to burritos, tacos, or rice bowls. Easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings and is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 lime zest of lime
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 0.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch for fluffier rice.
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, chicken broth, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Stir in the rinsed rice, reduce the heat to low, and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
Let the rice simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to retain steam.
While the rice cooks, prepare the flavoring mixture. In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, kosher salt, and sugar. Stir until well mixed.
Finely chop the fresh cilantro and set it aside.
Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. This allows the rice to finish steaming and enhances the texture.
Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the cilantro and the lime mixture until evenly incorporated.
Serve warm as a side dish or use it as a base for burritos, tacos, or bowls.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
531 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.8 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.9 g | 64% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 66 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 1134 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 68.7 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g | ||
| Protein | 9.5 g | 19% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 100 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 4.0 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 431 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
