Description
One Pan Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice brings zesty Mexican-inspired flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal cleanup. Tender chicken and fluffy rice combine in a single skillet, making weeknight cooking a total breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs / 680 g)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (475 ml)
Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to precisely 400°F (200°C) while arranging all 7 ingredients on your kitchen counter.
- Generously sprinkle 1.5 lbs of chicken breasts with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear each chicken breast for exactly 5 minutes per side, creating a golden-brown exterior. Transfer chicken to a clean plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 60 seconds until aromatic, releasing their fragrant oils.
- Pour 1 cup long-grain white rice into the skillet. Toast the grains for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and juice from 2 fresh limes. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Carefully return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the rice mixture. Ensure each piece is partially submerged.
- Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for precisely 27 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle 1 cup freshly chopped cilantro over the top before serving.
Notes
- Ensure your skillet is truly oven-safe to prevent any unexpected kitchen mishaps during cooking.
- Salt and pepper the chicken generously to build deep flavor throughout the meat and rice.
- When searing chicken, resist moving it around so you develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust that locks in moisture.
- Fresh cilantro makes a huge difference, so chop it right before garnishing to maximize bright, herbal notes in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg