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–+ servings
a bowl of cilantro lime rice for one person.
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5 from 2 votes

Cilantro Lime Rice For One

This single serving cilantro lime rice is light, fluffy, and full of fresh citrus flavor. Made with simple ingredients, it’s an easy rice side dish that pairs well with a wide variety of meals.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Diet:
Keyword: basmati rice, cilantro lime rice, long grain rice, mexican rice, one serving of rice
Servings: 1 servings
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ cup basmati rice -rinsed and drained
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil -divided
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt -divided
  • ¼ teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the rice, water, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and lime zest to a 2 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then cover and reduce the heat to low so the rice simmers gently.
  • Cook without lifting the lid for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and keep it covered for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the rice to a bowl. Drizzle with lime juice, add the remaining olive oil, and gently toss with chopped cilantro. Taste and add the remaining salt if needed.

Notes

  • Rinse the Rice: Rinse under cool water until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess surface starch and helps the rice cook up fluffy, not sticky.
  • Keep the Lid On: Keep the pot covered while the rice cooks and during the resting time. Lifting the lid releases steam and can affect the texture.
  • Rest Before Fluffing: Let the rice rest off the heat before fluffing so the moisture redistributes evenly.
  • Add Lime at the End: Stir in the lime juice after cooking to keep the citrus flavor fresh and balanced.
  • Adjust Seasoning Last: Taste and adjust the salt and lime at the end since acidity and seasoning levels can vary.
 
If doubling the recipe, cook the rice in a 3.5 or 4-quart saucepan.
Recipe yields about 1 1/2 cups cooked rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 555mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

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