Cilantro Lime Chicken Rice
Cilantro lime chicken rice is one of those meals that hits all the right notes—fresh, tangy, sweet, and crispy. I make this when I want something that tastes like it took hours but comes together fast. The chicken’s got a crunchy outside and juicy inside, and that honey-lime glaze? So good over warm rice. The cucumber salad on the side keeps things light, and a few cherry tomatoes make it feel complete. This one’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep for the next few days.
Equipment
- 1 airfryer
Ingredients
Fried Chicken Breast
- 2 chicken breasts
- Salt for dry brining
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs whisked
- ½ cup cornflakes crushed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper
- Oil spray for air frying
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 5 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- ½ cup pickle juice
- Chopped cilantro add at the end
Cucumber Salad
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced onion
- Garlic powder
- Lime juice
- Salt and pepper
Cilantro Lime Rice
- Steamed rice
- Cumin
- Salt
- Chopped cilantro
- Olive oil
Others
- Cherry tomatoes
- Extra cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Prep the chicken
- Clean the chicken and pat dry.
- Sprinkle both sides with salt and let sit for 15 minutes, and pat dry again.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to even out the thickness.
- Marinate with oil, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper on both sides. Set aside
Bread and air fry
- Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with whisked eggs, one with crushed cornflakes.
- Dip chicken in flour, then egg, then cornflakes. Press gently to stick.
- Spray with oil and air fry at 450°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Make sure the internal temp hits 170°F.
Make the sauce
- In a bowl, mix together avocado oil, garlic, honey, lime juice, paprika, salt, pepper, water, and pickle juice.
- Cook the sauce in pan, and let it simmer and reduce to about half.
- Once thickened, toss in the cooked chicken and coat it in the sauce.
- Finish with chopped cilantro.
Cucumber salad
- Toss sliced cucumber and onion with garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Shake or stir well. Let it chill while everything else cooks.
Cilantro lime rice
- Stir steamed rice with cumin, salt, chopped cilantro, and olive oil.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble
- Plate the rice first, top with saucy chicken.
- Add cucumber salad and cherry tomatoes on the side.
- Garnish with more cilantro if you like.
Video
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