Fitness / January 7, 2024

Baked Cilantro Lime Rice

Infuse a citrusy zip into your Basmati with this recipe for Baked Cilantro Lime Rice—a spicy and refreshing take on a beloved side dish.

Baked Cilantro Lime Rice featued image above

Table of Contents

Toggle

Sometimes being a chef isn’t so much about concocting new and exciting meals; it’s about taking traditional dishes and infusing them with something new. Turning them from the ordinary to the extraordinary. That’s the thinking behind this recipe for Baked Cilantro Lime Rice.

In fact, lately I’ve felt sorry for basmati rice. With the move to healthier options like Cauliflower Rice—in particular, this recipe for Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice—it can be easy to overlook what has been a mainstay in my kitchen for years. It’s similar to my Cilantro Lime Instant-Pot Rice except that, by baking it, you can forgo the stirring and monitoring regular rice usually requires. It also frees up room on your stovetop, which, if you’re a neat freak like me, you will appreciate. So I’m showing it a little love! By adding cilantro, lime juice, paprika, and cumin, your rice will be nice once again.

Is Baked Cilantro Lime Rice Healthy?

As far as rice dishes, go, yes. This recipe contains few ingredients; those it does contain are spices, natural juices, and herbs. Even the butter is a healthy fat when eaten in moderation. The rice itself is low in fat and high in carbs, which may be an issue for some diets and a good source of energy for others. It is suitable for gluten-free and vegetarian diets, as well as vegan and dairy-free diets (if you use a plant-based butter or no butter at all). Healthier options would replace the basmati rice with brown rice or the aforementioned cauliflower rice recipes found on FFF.

What Does ‘Basmati’ Mean?

Basmati is a variety of rice grain native to the foothills of the Himalayas. It’s long, fragrant, and fluffy when cooked. “Basmati” means “infused with fragrance” and it’s a relief to know it lives up to its name! Some people claim its scent reminds them of popcorn or nuts, though my sniffer has never been so finely tuned to identify those in particular. To me, it just smells like rice. Delicious rice.

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp butter, softened
2 cups basmati rice, rinsed and drained
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
4 cups water, boiled
½ tsp salt
½ cup cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juiced

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F and brush a 9″x13″ casserole dish with softened butter.

Fill

Fill the dish with the rice, paprika, cumin, boiling water, and salt.

Mix

Gently stir the mix then cover the dish with aluminum foil. Cook the dish in the oven for 20 minutes.

Add

Remove the dish from the oven, then carefully remove the foil. Add the chopped cilantro and lime juice. Stir.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making a Perfect Baked Cilantro Lime Rice

For added flavor, replace the water with chicken or vegetable broth. Heat it but don’t boil it.
After 20 minutes, check the rice to ensure the water has evaporated and the rice is tender. If it hasn’t, leave it in the oven for another 5 minutes.
For a citrus boost, zest your lime and add to your rice when it’s done cooking.
Halfway through cooking, stir the rice to ensure even cooking and so it doesn’t stick to the pan.

Baked Cilantro Lime Rice featured image shot above

FAQs

can i use a different kind of rice?

Any long-grain rice will do. Jasmine, for instance, makes for a good substitute.

what if i don’t cover the rice?

Covering the rice contains the steam and cooks your rice evenly and prevents it from drying out. Uncover it at your peril.

how do i double up this recipe?

Simply double up the ingredients! The cooking time should remain the same, as you are doubling up on the water, as well as the rice. Your best bet would be to inspect the rice after 20 minutes. If the water hasn’t fully been absorbed and the rice still stiff then leave it for another 5 minutes.

is this the same rice recipe that chipotle uses?

For their brown rice, Chipotle uses bay leaves and lemon juice on top of what we have listed. They also douse their rice in rice bran oil after cooking to prevent it from sticking. I’m not sure whether they use the same methods/recipe for their white rice.

Baked Cilantro Lime Rice featured image side shot

Other Recipes Involving Rice

Cheesy Instant-Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole: A complete meal with cheesy, chickeny, ricey goodness your entire family will love.

Mexican Chicken Bowls with Rice: Replace the cauliflower rice with this recipe and feast on these perfect lunchtime dishes.

Spicy Tuna Rice Casserole: It’s a sushi roll with a Mexican twist!

How To Prep And Store Baked Cilantro Lime Rice

Once the rice has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you plan on keeping it around longer, put the rice in a freezer-safe bag, flatten it out, and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight when it comes time to reheat. You may want to add a splash of water before doing so to reinvigorate the potentially dry rice.