Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy rice, fresh cilantro, and zesty lime come together to create a bright, flavorful side that's easy to make and pairs with just about everything. It's the perfect way to add fresh flavour to grilled meats, burrito bowls, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
- 1 Tbsp butter
- Zest of 1 lime
- 3 Tbsp lime juice, divided (plus more to taste)
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
- pinch of salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Add the rice to a fine mesh sieve and rinse the rice until the water runs clear, to remove any dirt and excess starch. Drain well.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring until the rice is coated and starting to toast, about 1 minute.
- Add the lime zest, 2 Tbsp of the lime juice and the chicken broth to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer the rice until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in remaining 1 Tbsp of lime juice, the fresh cilantro and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust lime juice and salt as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Rinsing basmati rice before cooking removes any residual dirt and excess starch. Keep rinsing the rice until the water runs clear. This step not only cleans the rice, but reduces surface starch resulting in rice that is lighter, fluffier and less sticky.
- Allow the rice to simmer undisturbed. Stirring the rice while it simmers will encourage stickiness and uneven cooking.
- Once the rice has absorbed the liquid, remove it from the heat and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes, covered and undisturbed. The rice will continue to steam during this time, resulting in fluffy, light rice. After the rice has rested, fluff it gently with a fork.
- This rice is best served immediately, but leftovers can be kept in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, drizzle with a little extra chicken broth and loosen with a fork. Microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between, until heated through.