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    Home » Recipes » Course » Main Dishes » Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice

    Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice

    September 23, 2021 by Valerie Brunmeier

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    A skillet filled with Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice with overlay text.
    A Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowl shot from over the top with text overlay.

    This easy Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice cooks all in one skillet in under 30 minutes! Spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings for a colorful, flavor-packed meal.

    An over the top shot of chunks of cilantro lime chicken in a bowl with cauliflower rice, beans, and peppers.

    When I find a way to create a healthy but hearty meal that my guys here love, I know I’ve got something special. This Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice is a prime example. It’s low in calories but loaded with fiber and nutrients that fill you up in the most satisfying way. Just spoon it into bowls and add your favorite toppings for super family-friendly meal.

    These tasty Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowls are on my list of healthy meals I can cook FAST on super busy days. With just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, this is a delicious meal that is also super quick and easy.

    A skillet of Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice

    Ingredient Notes

    The ingredients for Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowls with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice with overlay text.
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • Cumin
    • Garlic powder
    • Oil – A neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil
    • Boneless skinless chicken breast – Cut into bite-size pieces.
    • Lime – Zested and juiced
    • Cilantro
    • Bell pepper – I love the color contrast of diced red bell pepper but any color will do.
    • Onion – White or yellow, diced.
    • Minced garlic
    • Frozen riced cauliflower – Using store-bought frozen riced cauliflower is a fabulous time saver. If you’re concerned about the quality, don’t be. It cooks quickly from the frozen state and the quality is very good.
    • Frozen corn – There’s no need to thaw it.
    • Canned black beans – I recommend picking up a low sodium brand. To help reduce the sodium even further, rinse and drain the beans before adding them to the recipe.
    Chunks of Cilantro Lime Chicken and cauliflower rice in a white bowl with a fork.

    How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice

    Chicken, seasonings, and cilantro cooking in a skillet.
    1. Combine the salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic powder in a small bowl and set aside.
    2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Add the chicken and season with about half of the seasoning mixture (just eyeball it). Cook, stirring, until browned and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes.
    3. Add the lime zest and juice and the cilantro.
    4. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir to combine. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
    Peppers, onions, cauliflower rice cook in a skillet and then chicken is placed on top.
    1. Return the skillet to the heat, add a little more oil to the pan, if needed and add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir, scraping up any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Sauté until the onion and bell pepper are tender, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    2. Add the riced cauliflower, corn, black beans and the remaining seasoning mix.
    3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower and corn are tender and warmed through.
    4. Remove from the heat and spoon the cooked chicken over the top.
    An over the top shot of a skillet filled with Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice.

    Serving Suggestions

    There’s no need to prepare any side dishes for these one-pot Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowls. Just set out some toppings and let everyone serve up. Topping ideas include:

    • Hot sauce or salsa
    • Light sour cream
    • Avocado slices
    • Cheese (we love Cotija)
    A Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowl topped with sour cream and hot sauce.

    FAQs

    Can I use fresh riced cauliflower instead of frozen?

    If using your own freshly riced cauliflower, you’ll need about 3 cups. The cooking time should be very similar.

    How do you make fresh riced cauliflower?

    Cut a head of cauliflower into chunks and place them in a food processor. Pulse until the cauliflower breaks up to a texture similar to rice. Work in batches, if needed.

    Does this recipe work for meal prep?

    This Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice reheats wonderfully and works great for meal prep! If you’d like, you can skip the step of adding the chicken back to the skillet at the end so that you can spoon exactly as much of the cauliflower rice and chicken in to to each of your meal prep containers as you’d like.

    A fork digs into a Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowl topped with sour cream.

    More Wholesome Chicken Dinners

    • Chicken Bites
    • Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
    • Chicken Zucchini Casserole
    A Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowl shot from over the top.

    Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice

    Valerie Brunmeier
    This easy Cilantro Lime Chicken with Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice cooks all in one skillet in under 30 minutes! Spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings for a colorful, flavor-packed meal.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Tex-Mex
    Servings 4
    Calories 422 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil or as needed, divided
    • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
    • 1 lime zested and juiced
    • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro minced
    • 1 red bell pepper diced (about 1 cup)
    • ½ cup diced onion
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 10 ounce bag frozen riced cauliflower about 3 cups (don’t thaw)
    • 1 cup frozen corn don’t thaw
    • 15 ounce can black beans (low sodium) rinsed and drained

    For Serving (Optional)

    • lime wedges
    • hot sauce or salsa
    • light sour cream
    • sliced avocado
    • shredded cheese like cotija or Monterey Jack

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic powder in a small bowl and set aside.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Add the chicken and season with about half of the seasoning mixture (just eyeball it). Cook, stirring, until browned and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the lime zest and juice and the cilantro. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir to combine. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Make sure chicken gets very browned on this step.
    • Return the skillet to MEDIUM heat and add a little more oil to the pan, if needed. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir, scraping up any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Saute until the onion and bell pepper are tender, about 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Add the riced cauliflower, corn, black beans and the remaining seasoning mix. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower and corn are tender and warmed through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and spoon the cooked chicken over the top.
    • Serve in bowls with toppings, as desired.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 422kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 45gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 818mgPotassium: 1449mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1088IUVitamin C: 84mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword cilantro lime chicken with tex-mex cauliflower rice
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    All information provided regarding nutrition on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Content related to nutrition is not medical advice nor is it intended to replace medical advice. The website is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury. Before beginning any diet program, modifying your diet, or making changes to the diet of a child in your care, including following the nutrition information available on the website, you should seek advice from a licensed professional.

    Nutrition Information Disclaimer
    A bowl filled with Cilantro Lime Chicken and Tex-Mex Cauliflower Rice shot from over the top with overlay text.

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    Filed Under: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Light, Main Dishes, Nut-Free, Recipes Tagged With: Chicken, Vegetables

    About Valerie Brunmeier

    Valerie, a long time food blogger and cookbook author, launched Wholesome Made Easy in June of 2020. Her true passion is sharing her experience as a working mom of four to help other busy home cooks create wholesome, delicious meals that take a lighter approach. Her recipes have been featured on Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, MSN, Shape Magazine and more.

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