Lime Cilantro Chicken with Mixed Rice and Black Beans

PinSaveJUMP to RECIPE

This post may contain affiliate links.

Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice โ€” This 15-minute recipe is made in a single skillet and tastes even better the next day! You can use it as a taco filling or enjoy as is. You’re going to love all that lime-cilantro flavor!ย 

Lime Cilantro Chicken with Rice and Beansย on white platter with lime wedges

Cilantro Lime Chicken, Rice & Black Beans

I’ve always been a huge fan of bothย lime and cilantro,ย and lately I’ve been on a realย lime-cilantro kick.ย 

This easy, one-skillet, 15-minute dish is packed with both.ย There are so many textures and Mexican-inspired flavors โ€” you’re going to love it!ย 

Juicy, moist chicken with tender rice, hearty black beans, sweet corn, and crisp red peppers all scented with lime and the fresh pop of cilantro.ย You could also work in avocado, red onions, or use it as a filling for tacos and sprinkle cheese on top. I love versatile recipes like this one!ย 

The flavors marry over time and my family thought it tasted even better the second day. It was perfect summer day-camp lunch for my daughter.

Ingredients in Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice

To keep this cilantro chicken and rice with black beans super easy, I used some shortcuts like pre-cooked packets of rice, canned beans, and frozen corn. I just wanted to get something healthier on the table as quickly as I could!

Gather the following ingredients:

  • Lime juice and zest
  • Honey
  • Olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper
  • Chicken breasts
  • Cooked rice
  • Canned black beans
  • Canned or frozen corn
  • Red bell pepper
  • Fresh cilantro
Lime Cilantro Chicken with Rice and Beansย on platter

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice

Chicken with cilantro lime rice and beans is quick and easy to prepare! Here’s an overview of how this Mexican-inspired chicken recipe is made:

  1. In a large measuring cup, combine the lime zest, lime juice, honey, oliveย oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne. ย 
  2. Cook cubed chicken in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat until it’s about 90% cooked through.ย 
  3. Add the sauce, noting that it may bubble up in the first few seconds.ย Continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened some.ย 
  4. Turn the heat to low and add cooked rice, black beans, corn, red peppers, and cilantro to the skillet. Stir to combine, and cook just until everything is heated through.ย 
  5. Once everything is hot, garnish with additional lime zest, if desired.ย 

Chicken Tip

As you’re cooking the chicken, make sure to continue flipping it intermittently. This will ensure that it cooks through evenly and that it doesn’t become too browned on one side.ย 

Tips for Making Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice

Rice: To make this recipe super easy, I used two packets of pre-cooked Uncle Ben’s rice. You’re welcome to cook the rice yourself ahead of time in a rice cooker, but this is what I had on hand and it sped up the cooking process immensely!ย 

Corn: I also used frozen corn and added it to the skillet straight from the freezer. You could use fresh or canned instead โ€” again, just use what you have!ย 

Lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice, if possible. It tastes so much better than the pre-bottled stuff, and it doesn’t take very long to squeeze the limes!ย 

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!!

Recipe Variations to Try

This is a very flexible recipe that can be adjusted based on personal preferences or what you have on hand. Try any of the following swaps when making cilantro lime chicken with rice and beans:

  • Swap the spices for you favorite taco or fajita seasoning
  • Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, noting that chicken thighs need to be cooked slightly longer
  • Use any variety of rice you like, such as brown, basmati, or jasmine
  • Use quinoa instead of rice
  • Omit the rice entirely and replace with cauliflower rice or just enjoy the chicken and veggies
  • Swap the black beans for kidney or pinto beans
  • Swap the bell pepper and corn with any other veggies you have on hand, noting that you might need to adjust the cook time depending on what vegetable(s) you use
Lime Cilantro Chicken with Rice and Beansย โ€” This 15-minute recipe is made in a single skillet and tastes even better the next day! You can use it as a taco filling or enjoy as is. You're going to love all that lime-cilantro flavor!ย 

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice

At most, I might serve this dish with a green side salad just to get some extra veggies on my plate. However, you can stretch the recipe by serving it with one or more of the following:

You’ll want to wash it all down with homemade margaritas or horchata (which is non-alcoholic, by the way!).

Pin This Recipe

Enjoy AverieCooks.com Without Ads! ๐Ÿ†•
Go Ad Free

4.65 from 34 votes

Lime Cilantro Chicken with Mixed Rice and Black Beans

By Averie Sunshine
This 15-minute recipe is made in a single skillet and tastes even better the next day! You can use it as a taco filling or enjoy as is. You're going to love all that lime-cilantro flavor!ย 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Save this recipe to your email
Enter your email and weโ€™ll send it to you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients  

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lime zest + more for garnishing
  • โ…“ cup lime juice
  • โ…“ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for sauce + 1 tablespoon for cooking chicken
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ยฝ teaspoon pepper, or to taste
  • ยผ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional and to taste
  • about 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper
  • about 3 cups cooked rice*
  • one 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn, I used frozen that I added straight from freezer
  • ยพ cup red bell pepper, seeded and diced small**
  • ยพ cup cilantro leaves, chopped; or to taste

Instructions 

  • To a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add the lime zest, lime juice, honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, optional cayenne, and whisk to combine; set sauce aside.
  • To a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently so all sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts and sizes of pieces. Chicken should be about 90% cooked through.
  • Add the sauce, noting that it may bubble up in the first few seconds. Allow sauce to bubble at a medium-fast boil for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce has reduced some and chicken is cooked through. Stir sauce and flip chicken intermittently throughout.
  • Turn the heat to low and add the rice, black beans, corn, red peppers, cilantro, stir well to combine, and cook until everything is heated through. Taste and check for seasoning balance, making any necessary adjustments (more salt, pepper, pinch of sugar or cayenne, splash of lime juice, etc.) and garnish with a pinch of lime zest before serving.
  • Will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve cold or reheat gently prior to serving if desired.

Notes

*I used two 8.8-ounce pre-cooked Uncle Benโ€™s Original Rice packets
**Orange or yellow peppers may be substituted

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 747kcal, Carbohydrates: 97g, Protein: 59g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 123mg, Sodium: 1763mg, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 28g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Mexican Chicken Skillets:

15-Minute Cheesy Chicken Taco Skillet โ€” Craving tacos minus all the empty carbs? This EASY taco skillet without tortillas is PERFECT!! Fast, EASY, loaded with awesome Mexican-inspired flavors and itโ€™s super CHEESY!!

Skinny Mexican Chicken Skillet โ€” EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and is a skinny recipe that keeps you full and satisfied!! A great Mexican-inspired meal thatโ€™s naturally gluten-free and is a flavor FIESTA in your mouth!!

Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fajitas โ€” These Easy Chicken Fajitas take just 30 minutes to make and are the perfect weeknight dinner. Friends and family will go crazy for this recipe! 

Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fajitas in pan

15-Minute Salsa and Black Bean Chicken Skillet โ€” Fast, EASY, family-friendly, healthy yet hearty, naturally gluten-free, Mexican-inspired meal!! The PERFECT recipe to jazz up your usual weeknight chicken dinner!!

15-Minute Salsa Verde Chicken, Rice, and Beans โ€” Fast, EASY, one skillet recipe!! Between the salsa verde, lime juice, and cilantro mixed with juicy chicken, rice, and beans, youโ€™ll be hooked! Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping!!

15-Minute Salsa Verde Chicken, Rice, and Beans - Fast, EASY, one skillet recipe!! Between the salsa verde, lime juice, and cilantro mixed with juicy chicken, rice, and beans, you'll be hooked! Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping!!
4.65 from 34 votes (23 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 4 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here

Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve made the cilantro lime chicken numerous times over the years – add some cheese, salsa and sour cream, and you’ve got a killer burrito! It’s great for meal prep, too.

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve made the cilantro lime chicken numerous times over the years – add some cheese, salsa and sour cream, and you’ve got a killer burrito! It’s great for meal prep, too.

    1. Great thinking to doctor this recipe up a bit and use it as a burrito filling! I love that! I am glad this is a winner for you!

  3. 5 stars
    I found this recipe while looking for a way to use up a lot of cilantro I got from our CSA. It’s very good and I will make it again.

  4. 5 stars
    I found this recipe while looking for a way to use up a lot of cilantro I got from our CSA. It’s very good and I will make it again.

  5. Made the cilantro chicken and rice. ย Very quick and easy to prepare. ย I used Uncle Bens brown rice and served on fresh spinach. ย Tasty and healthy!