Description
Zesty chipotle lime chicken & rice brings Mexican-inspired flavors dancing across your plate with smoky, tangy flair. Crisp chicken, fluffy rice, and bold seasonings create a perfect meal guaranteed to satisfy hungry dinner crowds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce (or chipotle chili powder for a milder option)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together chipotle sauce, lime essence, aromatic spices, and seasonings in a mixing vessel until thoroughly blended.
- Generously massage the vibrant marinade across chicken surfaces, ensuring complete and even coating for maximum flavor infusion.
- Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over robust medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment for the marinated poultry.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the heated pan, allowing each side to caramelize and cook thoroughly for approximately 6-7 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until reaching 165°F.
- Simultaneously prepare rice by combining grains with savory chicken broth in a separate saucepan, bringing liquid to a vigorous boil before reducing heat.
- Cover rice and allow gentle simmering for 15-18 minutes, permitting grains to absorb liquid and achieve tender perfection.
- Once rice completes cooking, elevate its flavor profile by gently folding in fresh lime juice and finely chopped cilantro.
- Plate the succulent chicken atop the aromatic rice, creating an enticing presentation garnished with additional cilantro sprigs and bright lime wedges.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by using less chipotle in adobo or chili powder for a milder flavor that suits sensitive palates.
- Create a gluten-free version by ensuring your chicken broth and spices are certified gluten-free, making this recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Meal prep this dish by cooking extra chicken and rice, which can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and quickly reheated for easy lunches or dinners.
- Boost protein content by adding black beans or grilled corn to the rice, transforming this dish into a more substantial and nutritionally balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg