10-Minute Cilantro Lime Rice
Soft, flavorful rice seasoned with lime and cilantro makes for the ultimate Southwest-style side dish, adding bulk and vibrant flavor to your next Mexican-style dinner night. This recipe is simple, uses minimal ingredients, and comes together so quick!
Ingredients
Water
Minute rice (white and/or brown)
Chicken bouillon
Dried cilantro (or fresh, if preferred)
Lime pepper
Lime juice
Ground cumin
Smart Balance butter (or plant/oil-based butter of choice)
How to Make This Yummy Rice
Step #1 - Simmer the Seasoning Base: Place a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the water, chicken bouillon, dried cilantro, lime pepper, lime juice, ground cumin, and Smart Balance butter (hold off on the minute rice for just a moment). Stir well and bring to a light boil, letting everything dissolve and combine for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Step #2 - Add Rice and Cover: Once the liquid comes to a light boil and the seasonings are fully incorporated, pour in the minute rice. Immediately turn off the heat, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and let it steam and the rice to soften undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step #3 - Fluff and Serve: Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes & Pro Tips
The Rice Mix Pro Tip: Try using a 50/50 mix of instant brown rice and instant white rice (3/4 cup of each to total 1 1/2 cups). It adds an extra nutritional boost and nice texture while keeping the cook time faster in general!
Quick Cleanup: This is a true one-pot wonder, meaning less time doing dishes and more time enjoying your meal - you only need one pot for this recipe.
Health & Nutrition Notes
Here at Flour and Pots, keeping things wholesome and simple is key. Here is why this easy side dish fits right into a balanced lifestyle:
Clean, Minimal Ingredients: Made without heavy preservatives, artificial colorings, or unnecessary chemical fillers, so you know exactly what is going into your food.
Whole Grains & Fiber: If you choose to use instant brown rice, you benefit from complex carbohydrates and extra dietary fiber, which help sustain energy levels and support digestive health.
Mindful Fats: Using a plant-based oil spread like Smart Balance helps reduce saturated fats compared to traditional dairy butter.
Citrus & Spice Benefits: Lime juice delivers a dose of Vitamin C to support immune function, while cumin and cilantro provide trace minerals and antioxidants that add both depth of flavor and well-being benefits.
How to Serve This Rice
As a Taco Night Side: Pair it alongside enchiladas, empanadas, tamales, or classic tacos.
In Handheld Favorites: Use it as a hearty filling inside burritos, taquitos, or quesadillas.
Build a Baja Bowl: Layer the rice at the base of a bowl and top with your favorite protein, crisp lettuce, salsa, cheese, onions, and an extra squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Southwest Wraps: Roll it into a wrap with chicken, black beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and salsa for a great lunch on the go.
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups minute rice *(white and/or brown)*
- 1 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon
- ½ to 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime pepper
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ tablespoon Smart Balance butter *(or plant/oil-based butter of choice)*
- 355ml water
- 210g minute rice *(white and/or brown)*
- 6g chicken bouillon
- 1 to 2g dried cilantro
- 4g lime pepper
- 5ml lime juice
- 2.6g ground cumin
- 7g Smart Balance butter *(or oil-based butter alternative)*
- Simmer the Liquid Base: Place all the ingredients except the minute rice (water, chicken bouillon, dried cilantro, lime pepper, lime juice, ground cumin, and butter) into a medium-sized saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and stir to dissolve and combine, bringing it to a light boil for about 3–5 minutes.
- Add Rice and Steam: Once the mixture comes to a light boil and everything is combined, pour in the minute rice, turn off the heat, cover securely with a lid, and allow to sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Fluff and Serve: Fluff gently with a fork, then serve and enjoy!
- Pro Tip: I like to use a half-and-half mix of instant brown and white rice ($\frac{3}{4}$ cup of each to yield $1\frac{1}{2}$ cups total) for extra texture and whole-grain fiber.
- Quick & Easy: One pot, minimal ingredients, and ready in 10 minutes flat!
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Estimated values for 6 servings.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Calories | ~110 | 6% |
| Protein | ~2g | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | ~22g | 8% |
| Fat | ~1.5g | 2% |
| Fiber | ~1g | 4% |
| Sugar | ~0g | — |
| Sodium | ~320mg | 14% |
