EASY stove top cilantro lime brown rice, seasoned with chicken bouillon, limes, and fresh cilantro. Done in under 40 minutes!
The perfect side dish for any Mexican meal, it's healthier than white rice, and it tastes amazing. We love it served with no soak Instant Pot Black Beans on salad with grilled chicken (check out my Homemade Chicken Taco Seasoning!) and Tomatillo Avocado Ranch Dressing.
Stove top is my go to method for rice, I don't own a rice cooker and haven't really used them. It's perfect in burrito bowls, with seasoned grilled chicken, with basically any Mexican food.
One thing to keep in mind is that brown rice does take longer than white rice to cook. It also takes a little less water, especially since we add lime juice at the end.
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What To Expect
- Taste: The rice is seasoned, and you can taste enough lime and cilantro but it doesn't overpower the rice.
- Ease: Mixing together the rice and seasoning and setting it to cook on the stove! Just remember to turn down the heat and cover with a lid.
- Time: A minute or two to get the rice in the pot with water, and 35-38 minutes to cook.
🛒 Key Ingredients
- Brown Rice - it's got a bit of a different nuttier flavor than white rice, and takes longer to cook, but it has more vitamins and minerals than white. Think of it as similar to the difference between wheat and white bread or wheat and white pasta.
- Chicken Bouillon - used in place of salt, it adds much more flavor to the rice.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✏️ Substitutions & Variations
- In place of the chicken bouillon, Better than Bouillon can be used, or ¼ teaspoon salt.
- If you choose to use white rice instead, make sure you use a 1:1 ratio of water, meaning using a full 2 cups (16 oz). Brown rice uses slightly less water, especially since lime juice is added at the end.
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Step 1. In a pot, combine rice, chicken bouillon, and water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately turn the heat down to low, so the rice is gently simmering. Cover and set timer for 37 minutes.
- Step 2. While the rice is cooking, chop cilantro and zest the lime. It's much easier to zest the lime before juicing it.
- Step 3. Once the rice is done cooking, remove from heat. Add in the lime juice.
- Step 4. Add in the cilantro and lime zest last, stirring until combined. Serve warm.
📌 Top Tips & Hacks
- If the heat is too high the rice will boil over once the lid is on. Make sure the heat is low enough before you walk away.
- Don't peek! Opening the lid of the rice will reduce the heat inside the pot and increase the cooking time.
- Cook low and slow - if the heat is turned up too high all of the water will evaporate too quickly, leaving you with crunchy rice. If you add more water, it could leave you with soggy rice.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
• Seasonings - salt, garlic, pepper, onion powder, etc.
• Salsa - your favorite red or salsa verde.
• Avocados
You can, but it's not as necessary as with white rice. You can rinse it to clean of any dirt or debris.
It may not have had enough liquid in it (too much boiled out) or it hasn't cooked long enough. You can add a few more Tablespoons of water, return it to a simmer, and let it continue cooking.
You can, and it will taste lovely. This recipe has lime and cilantro in it, and is seasoned with chicken bouillon, so it doesn't necessarily need butter but adding a Tablespoon or two definitely wouldn't hurt.
🍚 What To Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice
Did You Try This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Make sure to leave a star rating and a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you, and it is so helpful to other readers! Better yet, share it with family and friends. Thank you!!
📝 Printable Recipe
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice 192 g
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon 4 g
- 1¾ cups water 415 mL
- 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (one lime)
- 1-2 Tablespoons lime juice, to taste one lime
Instructions
- In a pot, combine rice, chicken bouillon, and water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately turn the heat down to low, so the rice is gently simmering. Cover and set timer for 37 minutes. If the heat is too high the rice will boil over, make sure the heat is low enough before you walk away. Don't peek!
- While the rice is cooking, chop cilantro and zest the lime. It's much easier to zest the lime before juicing it.
- Once the rice is done cooking, remove from heat. Add in the lime juice.
- Add in the cilantro and lime zest last, stirring until combined. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.
Sara says
So good with pork and beans on tortillas. Easy recipe, a little healthier than white rice which I love.