Introducing my Lime Chicken Fried Rice, a mouthwatering dish that combines tender seared chicken cubes with flavorful fried rice tossed in a zesty lime cilantro sauce! If you’re craving a quick, easy, and delicious meal made with fresh, natural ingredients, this recipe is for you! Get ready to savor every bite of this delightful dish that’s perfect for any occasion!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What excites me about this recipe is my take on a Cilantro Lime Chicken Fried Rice that’s not only incredibly easy to prepare but also bursting with flavor! We start with seared chicken and rice cooked in olive oil, and then they come together with my homemade cilantro lime sauce, the same sauce that elevates my Chili Lime Salmon Fried Rice to new heights.
This dish is perfect for lunch or dinner, serving as a satisfying main course or a co-main dish alongside other flavorful treats. With its zesty, umami-packed chicken flavors, the refreshing essence of cilantro, and the vibrant lime notes with a hint of spiciness, it’s a delightful choice for anyone seeking a healthy, simple, and delectable meal. Plus, you’ll appreciate that it shares a similarly simply cooking technique with my Japanese Beef Fried Rice, where ingredients are all made separately and then combined at the end. So, let’s dive in and whip up this mouthwatering recipe right now!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Chicken – boneless and skinless chicken thigh.
- Olive Oil – extra virgin olive oil or olive oil of choice.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Cilantro – with stem on.
- Jalapeno – about 1/2 a jalapeno. De-seed for less spicy.
- Green Onion – green onion scallions.
- Lime Juice – fresh lime juice.
- Garlic Cloves – about 2 whole fresh garlic cloves.
- Rice – rice of choice.
- Chicken Bullion Powder – a concentrated Chicken Bullion Powder full of chicken flavor. Available in most supermarkets.
🍗 Chicken Note
You can use Chicken Breast if preferred.
🍚 Rice Note
For optimal results, use Leftover Cold Rice or Day-Old Cooked Cold Rice. This technique efficiently reduces excess moisture, ensuring your fried rice maintains its texture.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
For best results, use a Wok or Deep Skillet. This choice of cookware enables you to retain maximum heat during the cooking process, ensuring that your fried rice turns out perfectly.
Step 1 Blend cilantro, jalapeno, green onion, lime juice, and garlic In a food processor until smooth.
Step 2 Next, coat a skillet or wok with olive oil and heat it up. Add cubed chicken and season it with salt and pepper. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a separate bowl.
Step 3 In the same pan, add olive oil and heat it up. Then, add the rice and cook for 3-5 minutes or until it reaches your preferred level of tenderness.
🍚 Fried Rice Pro Tip
Avoid Overcrowding the pan to ensure there’s enough space for all the rice to cook evenly under high heat and within the correct temperature range. If making a large serving, it’s better to Cook in Batches instead.
Step 4 Mix in the chicken bullion, cilantro blend mix, and the pre-cooked chicken with the rice. Give it a quick stir, cook for 30-45 more seconds and then serve.
Recipe Variations
For a delightful vegetable version of this recipe, simply omit the chicken and swap in cauliflower rice to create a Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice dish. This variation puts the spotlight on healthy vegetables as the main ingredients, offering a vibrant and nutritious twist on the original recipe.
Pairing Recommendations
This recipe would pair wonderfully with Peruvian Chicken Soup, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal. If you’re in the mood to include seafood, consider serving it alongside Shrimp Ceviche for a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe with brown rice or another type of rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. However, it's important to note that using these alternatives will alter the texture and flavors of the fried rice.
Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the dish to my preference?
Yes, you have the flexibility to adjust the spiciness to your liking. If you prefer a milder flavor, make sure to remove any seeds from the jalapeno. This will help retain the flavor of the jalapeno while minimizing the spiciness.
How can I ensure that the rice doesn't become too soggy when making fried rice?
To prevent the rice from becoming soggy, ensure that the cooking oil is hot before adding the rice to the pan. Additionally, use a high-temperature cooking oil, which will help maintain the desired texture of the fried rice.
Storage Tips
While fried rice is best enjoyed fresh and hot, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply microwave it to reheat.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Garlic Shrimp Fried Rice
- Japanese Ketchup Fried Rice
- Cajun Cauliflower Rice
- Garlic Chicken Fried Rice
Watch How To Make It
Lime Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 oz Chicken Thigh can sub with chicken breast
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Pepper
Sauce
- 1 Cup Cilantro
- 1/2 Whole Jalapeno
- 1 Stalk Green Onion
- 2 tsp Lime Juice
- 2 Cloves Garlic
Fried Rice
- 2 Cups Rice rice of choice
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Chicken Bullion Powder
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Cut chicken thighs into cubes about 1/4 x 1/4 inch and set aside.
- Inside a food processor, add cilantro, jalapeno, green onion, lime juice, garlic cloves and pulse until well combined.
- In a frying pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil on high heat. Once the oil is up to temp, add chicken, sprinkle salt and pepper and cook for 2-4 minutes until you get a nice brown crust on the chicken. Transfer to holding bowl.
- In the same frying pan, add olive oil and bring up to heat. Add rice and cook for 2-3 minutes or until preferred tenderness is attained.
- Sprinkle in the chicken bullion, the green paste from step 3) and cooked chicken from step 4). Stir, cook for 30-45 more seconds and then transfer to a serving bowl.
I made this tonight but added broccoli, asparagus, zucchini and mini sweet bell peppers. I more than doubled the recipe. I’m a picky, high standards keto cook. THIS WAS DELICIOUS!!! Even my husband loved it and we both went back for seconds. thank you!
Hey Carri – great to hear from you! Glad you liked the recipe and you are very welcome! Thank you for your continued support!