Cilantro Chicken, Rice, & Beans
Calling all cilantro fans, this cilantro lime chicken recipe is for you! And I love the Mexican flavors and vibe going on too. This chicken, rice, and beans recipe is easy, healthy, ready in under 20 minutes, and naturally gluten-free. Tender pieces of chicken are simmered in an easy yet super flavorful cilantro sauce that’s made in 1 minute in your food processor. Fresh cilantro, green onions, lime juice, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. So much herby freshness. The cayenne doesn’t make the cilantro sauce spicy and just adds some pizazz. Extra cilantro sauce is great for drizzling over the chicken, rice, and beans. Namely Spanish rice and black beans. I can never have too much sauce. The sauce also makes a great chicken marinade or just eat it as a dip with tortilla chips. Yum. The cilantro sauce has more of an edge straight out of the food processor and the flavors mellow and marry in the skillet. If you like it straight from the food processor, you’re going to love it after it’s been cooked for a few minutes.
What’s in Cilantro Chicken?
To make the cilantro lime chicken, rice, and beans, you’ll need:
Fresh cilantro Green onions Olive oil Lime juice Cayenne pepper Chicken breasts Precooked rice Black beans Tomatoes
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
Add the cilantro sauce ingredients to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Then, cook the diced chicken in an oiled skillet until no longer pink inside. Pour about 1/3 cup of the cilantro sauce over the chicken and cook for a couple minutes to heat through. Then, divide the chicken, rice, and beans among your bowls and garnish with fresh tomato slices. Drizzle more cilantro sauce on top if desired and dig in!
Can I Use Chicken Thighs?
I’m sure you can, I just prefer using boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Tips for Making Cilantro Lime Chicken
I used precooked rice to save time but you can make it from scratch or sub with quinoa, couscous, or another favorite grain. Note that I use only the cilantro leaves and not the stems. Be sure to pack the leaves tightly into your measuring cup as you need more cilantro than you think to make the sauce for this cilantro lime chicken and rice dish. I season the canned black beans simply with salt and pepper, but feel free to doctor them up with additional cumin, cayenne, taco seasoning, or whatever you’d like.
More Mexican Chicken Recipes:
ALL OF MY MEXICAN RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowls — Juicy chicken along with your favorite burrito ingredients served in a bowl! Pile the toppings sky high and not worry about a wrap breaking, plus it’s a little healthier! Easy and ready in 15 minutes!
Loaded Chicken Taco Salad with Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing – Fast, easy, fresh and healthy! All your favorite taco flavors in one big kickin’ salad that everyone will love!
Chicken Tortilla Lettuce Wraps – Filled with Mexican flavors, there’s taco-seasoned chicken, tomatoes, corn, peppers, cilantro, and cheese! Easy, healthy, ready in 10 minutes, and a family favorite!
Lime Cilantro Chicken with Mixed Rice and Black Beans – Easy, one skillet, 15-minute meal! Tons of textures and bold flavors in every bite! The lime makes this dish just pop!
Loaded Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats — Skip enchilada wraps and use zucchini instead! Easy, healthier and there’s so much flavor between juicy chicken drenched in enchilada sauce, corn, peppers, and cheese!
Sheet Pan Salsa Chicken and Potatoes – An EASY dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes and made on ONE pan with so much FLAVOR!! The salsa keeps the chicken so juicy for a winner-winner-chicken-dinner that’s perfect for busy nights!!
Grilled Lime Cilantro Chicken – EASY, ready in 10 minutes, and the chicken is so TENDER, juicy, and full of Mexican-inspired flavor!! Put this HEALTHY chicken recipe on your summer menu rotation and it’ll be a hit with everyone!!
