Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

This cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe is a 20 minute one pan healthy side dish or healthy dinner. It has perfect amount of each food group, satisfies Mexican food crave and feeds entire family because who doesn’t love Chipotle cilantro lime rice?!

If you are trying to eat low carb (following keto diet) and actual cauliflower + meat fills you up for hours, that’s great. For us, I try to jam as many whole foods in one huge pot/pan because I’ve got 3 men to feed. And personally I do not get full for a long time from veggies + protein without added healthy fats + carbs. I find a balance of everything works the best for us.

I have included instructions for both versions in the recipe below.

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Ingredients

  • Cauliflower: Make your own in a food processor, just don’t overcrowd it to create a mush. Use fresh store-bought. Use frozen store-bought just please don’t thaw it. Difference in weight fro full head or a bag of pre-made is because of the leaves, core etc.
  • Chicken: It is optional but it adds lean protein to a lot of veggies.
  • Shrimp: You can swap chicken for shrimp, just cook 3-4 minutes or until no longer gray and turns pink. Don’t overcook as it becomes rubbery.
  • Brown Rice: Again it is optional but it makes this cilantro lime cauliflower rice a complete dinner with perfect ratio of veggies, protein and complex carbs. What not to like?!
  • Seasoning: I kept them simple. If you decide to skip on chicken and brown rice and make this cauliflower rice as a side dish, just add less salt and cilantro and lime juice to taste.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice on plate served with slice of lime

How to Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

  1. To make cauliflower rice, add cauliflower florets to a food processor (not overcrowding it) and process until rice texture. Or use fresh or frozen store-bought.
  2. Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium-high heat and swirl oil to coat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add half garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp salt and cook for 2 more minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to low-medium, add cauliflower rice, remaining garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, stir and cook for 2 more minutes.
  4. Add cooked rice, cilantro, lime juice, stir and serve hot.
cilantro lime cauliflower rice

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

One pan 20 minute dinner Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice with Chicken or Shrimp Recipe with a perfect amount of protein, veggies and good carbs. Use fresh, frozen or make your own cauliflower rice.
5 from 3 votes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 547
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients 
 

  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast cut into 1″ pieces
  • 2 lbs head cauliflower or 1 lb bag of store-bought cauliflower rice
  • 2 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin divided
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cilantro finely chopped
  • 2 limes juice of
  • 3 cups brown rice cooked

Instructions 

  • To make cauliflower rice, add cauliflower florets to a food processor (not overcrowding it) and process until rice texture. Or use fresh or frozen store-bought.
  • Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium-high heat and swirl oil to coat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add half garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp salt and cook for 2 more minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low-medium, add cauliflower rice, remaining garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, stir and cook for 2 more minutes.
  • Add cooked rice, cilantro, lime juice, stir and serve hot.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Chicken and cooked rice are optional, however they make this recipe a complete 20 minute dinner. If not using rice add 1/4 tsp less salt. If not using chicken as well, add another 1/4 tsp less salt. Add cilantro and lime juice to taste.
  • If using frozen cauliflower rice, don’t thaw but cook a few minutes longer.
  • You can swap chicken for shrimp, just cook 3-4 minutes or until no longer gray and turns pink. Don’t overcook as it becomes rubbery.

Nutrition

Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 476mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g
Course: Side
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I found this page when I was looking for recipes involving cauliflower rice. My newly complaining gallbladder thought this sounded healthy. It was delicious too! I used shrimp, and I bought frozen cauliflower rice already seasoned with garlic to simplify my life a little. This is probably the first time I’ve squeezed a lime for the juice for a recipe, so I’m not a cook. This recipe was simple enough for me though. Thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    I happened to stumble upon your website as I was looking for recipes (just general recipes, not necessarily healthy recipes). I’ve tried a few so far, and have loved them all! It’s great that there are so many complete meals AND that they’re healthy! I’m not that advanced of a cooker either, so it’s great to find these that are actually doable. I also really appreciate that your recipes give different options and explain what to do if you use the different varieties (i.e. different proteins, fresh or frozen cauliflower rice). Basically, just came here to say this website has been awesome and keep up the recipes :).

    1. Hi Monique. Aw, thank you for taking time to let me know! Always helps me to know what my readers appreciate. You are so sweet. Enjoy!

  3. Yes, I do this all the time too! I love mixing cauliflower rice with real rice to get in an extra veggie serving. It’s too bad that people have come to “fear” foods as simple as rice!

    1. There are those of us who have diabetes that rice will increase the blood sugar way too high, this is a wonderful alternative.

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