Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
User Reviews
5
Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
Description
This recipe starts by cooking rice with butter, minced garlic, freshly squeezed lime juice, chicken broth, salt, and water in a covered saucepan until tender. Once cooked, a combination of more lime juice, sugar, and freshly chopped cilantro is mixed into the warm rice as it is fluffed, distributing flavor evenly throughout.
The resulting rice features a fluffy texture with a fragrant aroma from garlic and lime. The chicken broth adds depth, while the cilantro and lime introduce a fresh, bright character with subtle sweetness from sugar to balance the acidity. This rice complements many entrees, especially Mexican-inspired dishes.
It is often served alongside grilled meats, tacos, or burritos, providing a zesty and herbed starch component that balances stronger, richer flavors on a plate.
For added flavor, sautéing diced onions in butter before the rice cooking step can enrich the base. Fresh cilantro is essential for authentic flavor, as dried cilantro does not provide the same aroma. This dish can also be adapted for an Instant Pot, streamlining the cooking process while maintaining taste.
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 cup water
- 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, salt, and water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat.
- In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro.
- Pour the mixture over hot, cooked rice as you fluff the rice with a fork. Mix until fully combined.
Notes
- Use fresh cilantro for best flavor; dried cilantro lacks the same aroma and brightness.
- For deeper flavor, sauté diced onion in butter before cooking the rice.
- To make in an Instant Pot, combine rice, butter, garlic, lime juice, chicken broth, salt, and water and cook according to the rice setting, then mix in cilantro and lime mixture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 194 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 194kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 3mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 404mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 152mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 56IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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