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    Cilantro Lime Chicken Rice Skillet

    May 22, 2024

    Fresh, herby and bursting with flavor, this garlicky one-pot cilantro lime chicken and rice recipe is the kind of company-worthy weeknight fare we want every dinner to be.

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    A Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice Skillet served with corn salad and a creamy lime sauce
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    A Yummy, Easy One Pan Chicken & Rice Recipe

    We’ve created another company worthy weeknight winner with this flavorful, Mexican food-inspired cilantro-lime chicken and rice recipe. Topped with a fresh corn salad and creamy lime sauce, it’s totally irresistible. If you love our Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs and our goes-with-everything Cilantro Lime Rice, don’t miss this one-pot wonder which marries the two into one sumptuous, seamless supper. And for even more one-pan goodness, check out our list of the Best One Pot Dinners.

    Chicken thighs, cilantro, limes, spices, honey, rice, mayo, sour cream, corn, red onion and jalapeno in prep bowls

    Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice Ingredients

    For the chicken & rice

    • Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)

    • Limes

    • Cilantro

    • Chili powder

    • Salt & pepper

    • Garlic

    • Honey

    • Extra-virgin olive oil

    • White rice

    For the creamy sauce

    • Mayonnaise

    • Sour cream

    • Limes

    • Honey

    • Cilantro

    • Garlic powder

    For the corn salad

    • Corn

    • Cilantro

    • Lime

    • Red onion

    • Jalapeño

    • Salt & pepper

    olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt, and pepper being combined in a glass bowl
    chicken thighs being tossed with olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt, and pepper
    chicken thighs marinated in olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest & juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt & pepper in a skillet
    rice, vegetable oil, salt, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, and water cooking in a skillet

    How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

    1. Marinate the chicken thighs for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours) in a large bowl, with olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

    2. Brown the chicken thighs. Use a large nonstick skillet, give them about 3 minutes per side.

    3. Get the rice going. If you don’t mind dishes, you could do this in a second skillet while the chicken browns. Or, if dishes make you crazy, just wipe out the skillet you browned the chicken in and use that. Whichever skillet you use, make sure it has a lid. Bring the rice, oil, salt, lime zest and juice, cilantro, and water to a boil.

    4. Add the browned chicken thighs and turn the heat down. Cover, and cook for about 20 minutes. Use your trusty meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

    5. Make the corn salad and sauce while the chicken and rice simmer.

    6. Cook the corn and toss it with cilantro, onion, jalapeño, and lime juice. Voila, you made a corn salad.

    7. For the creamy sauce (which is optional, but so yummy) use a food processor or immersion blender to whiz together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, cilantro leaves, garlic powder, and salt.

    8. Serve! With the corn salad heaped on each serving, and a drizzle of sauce to finish.

    cilantro lime chicken and rice cooking in a skillet
    cilantro lime chicken and rice cooking in a skillet
    corn on the cob being boiled in a pot of hot water
    cooked corn, cilantro, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, salt and pepper being combined in a bowl

    How To Store Leftovers + Tips

    • Leftover homemade chicken & rice will keep (and be delicious) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    • Chicken thighs rule, right? So much more flavorful than chicken breast, chicken thighs are an unsung hero of weeknight meals. Check out our 30 Best Chicken Thigh recipes for even more dinner inspiration.

    mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, cilantro leaves, garlic powder, and salt being combined in a food processor
    A Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice Skillet served with corn salad and a creamy lime sauce

    More Easy, Delicious Chicken & Rice Recipes

    Chicken Dinners Galore!

    For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

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    Cilantro Lime Chicken Rice Skillet

    May 22, 2024

    • Serves: 4
    • Prep Time:  20 min
    • Cook Time:  35 min
    • Calories: 860
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    Ingredients

    Cilantro Lime Chicken

    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 teaspoons tablespoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon lime zest
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
    • ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)

    Corn Salad

    • 4 ears corn (or 2 cups frozen corn, thawed)
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • ¼ red onion, finely chopped
    • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
    • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

    Cilantro Lime Rice

    • 1½ cups long-grain white or jasmine rice, rinsed
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon lime zest
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
    • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

    Sauce

    • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
    • ⅓ cup sour cream
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice (from 1 lime)
    • ½ teaspoon honey
    • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Method

    1. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

      olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt, and pepper being combined in a glass bowl

    2. Add the chicken, and turn to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes or refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 hours.

      chicken thighs being tossed with olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt, and pepper

    3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the chicken in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

      chicken thighs marinated in olive oil, garlic, honey, lime zest & juice, cilantro, chili powder, salt & pepper in a skillet

    4. Meanwhile, make the corn salad. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the corn and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water until cool enough to handle. Slice the kernels off the cobs and place them in a large bowl. Add the cilantro, onion, jalapeño, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss to combine.

      cooked corn, cilantro, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, salt and pepper being combined in a bowl

    5. Make the rice. In a second large skillet, combine the rice, vegetable oil, salt, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, and 2½ cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low. Transfer the chicken to the skillet, cover, and cook until the liquid has been absorbed, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes.

      rice, vegetable oil, salt, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, and water cooking in a skillet

    6. While the chicken and rice cook, make the sauce. In the base of a food processor, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, cilantro leaves, garlic powder, and salt. Blend until smooth.

      mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, honey, cilantro leaves, garlic powder, and salt being combined in a food processor

    7. Divide the chicken and rice among 4 plates. Serve topped with the corn salad and sauce.

      A Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice Skillet served with corn salad and a creamy lime sauce

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories860
    • Protein53 g
    • Carbohydrates40 g
    • Total Fat55 g
    • Dietary Fiber3 g
    • Cholesterol168 mg
    • sodium1198 mg
    • Total Sugars10 g

    Cilantro Lime Chicken Rice Skillet

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Rachel

      My family loved this. Such bright flavors! Quick enough for a weeknight meal but special enough to serve to guests on the weekend.

      Thanks Rachael, so glad you enjoyed it!

    • Joe

      This was a great dinner. Fresh tasting and simple to put together. A nice way to enjoy a spring evening

      Thanks Joe, so glad you enjoyed it!

    • Mimi

      This was so easy and delicious!! What surprised me was the corn salad. I didn't think it would taste so good without oil but it works. My new favourite way of making corn salad now. I didnt male the sauce due to the calories but probably it would have brought the flavours to another evel. This is a keeper.

      Thanks Mimi, so glad you enjoyed it!

    • Jess

      Delicious, so easy to prep ahead of time and scale for larger amounts too! Another MP winner that made me look like I’m a fantastic cook. Thank you as always 💗

      Thanks Jess, so glad you enjoyed it!

    • Alison

      SO delicious! 12/10! The whole fam loved it! I used chicken bone broth instead of water for extra protein and it was so yum. Make this!

      Thanks Alison, we are so happy you all loved it!