This Coconut Coriander / Cilantro Lime Rice is so good, you’ll be eating it plain straight out of the pot! A classic coconut rice freshened up with a burst of zesty lime and cilantro / coriander. Made in one pot, this is easy and a terrific way to jazz up plain old rice.
My favourite way to make coconut rice is using coconut milk POWDER because the rice comes out fluffier and cleaner- here’s my recipe for Coconut Rice here. That recipe is an Asian restaurant recipe, and the secret ingredient is kaffir lime leaves – it’s what makes that little difference to make it truly restaurant quality.
This recipe is for coconut rice made with coconut MILK, not powder. It doesn’t come out quite as fluffy but is still just as tasty. I wanted to share this version made with coconut milk because I’m pretty sure that most people – myself included – will more likely have coconut milk rather than coconut powder in their pantry!
You will find that many coconut rice recipes “out there” use just rice and coconut milk. In my personal – I stress the word PERSONAL(!) – opinion, that makes the rice: a) too rich; and b) too gluggy. So I use a combination of both coconut milk and water.
As a side note, every every chef recipe I’ve come across does the same. 😉
Coconut is quite rich, so when I serve this as a side, quite often I will freshen up the rice with lime juice. Which is why I decided to share my Coconut Coriander / Cilantro Lime Rice recipe, rather than just a Coconut Rice. 🙂 But you can omit the lime if you wish!
I served this as a side to my Hawaiian Coconut and Pineapple Chicken Skewers. It was a perfect accompaniment – not a coconut overload because of the freshness from the lime and cilantro / coriander. Also, this coconut rice and Hawaiian Chicken Skewers recipe together use up 1 can of coconut milk – perfect! 🙂
Hope you enjoy! – Nagi x
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Coconut Coriander (Cilantro) Lime Rice
Ingredients
Rice
- 1 1/2 cups long grain rice, uncooked (jasmine is great too)
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
To Finish
- 1/4 cup finely chopped coriander / cilantro leaves
- 1 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (adjust to your taste)
Instructions
- Place Rice ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat with the lid on. Bring to simmer then turn down to medium low.
- Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, leaving the lid on, and rest for 10 minutes.
- Fluff rice with a fork then stir through coriander/cilantro and lime juice. Adjust lime juice to taste.
Recipe Notes:
LIFE OF DOZER
Searching for fish in the water…
I made this to go with barramundi with coconut spinach….. match made in heaven …….
I can’t cook rice to save my life, however somehow managed to make this without stuffing up another saucepan 🤣
Tasted amazing to btw!!
Excellent recipe! Will definitely make again! We loved it!!!
I made a version of this in my older basic zojirushi rice cooker. I used coconut water not milk as invariably anything but water tends to brown or burn on the bottom. I hoped the coconut water might be different. It browned, but I caught it in time to prevent burning. The rice had a mild coconut flavor and I added lime & cilantro to it on the plate. I’m sure not as tasty as Nagi’s (whose recipes are always a hit! I want a pot w/ a glass top to cook rice stove top.) I used 3 cups coconut water to 1.5 cups long grain rice. I’ve tried less but my cooker likes liquid at the higher end. I’m sure coconut milk would have burned on the bottom. It also might just be MY cooker that burns with anything but water. Hope this helps.
Thanks for all of those tips Beth! N x
Am wondering if anyone has tried making this in a rice cooker and if it works?
I know I say this every time but THIS is the most amazing flavour dinner! With the chicken. I’m blown away again. Love ya Nagi!’
Wow, so incredibly easy and packed with flavor (and yet doesn’t distract from the main entree)! My teenage daughter wants to make this regularly:)
made the coconut rice…delicious
I wanted to eat just the rice as my while meal! Served with the lime marinated chicken – perfect combo! We’ll be making again… And again!
DELIGHTFUL
Thankyou!!
I made the mistake of not checking Nagi’s recipes first & made a different recipe.
Gluggy, congealed, porridge-y mess. (The chooks loved it)
Nagi’s recipe is perfect & tastes just like the pre-cooked Coles version that I love
Thank you for sharing this gem!
I really dislike coriander. Do you recommend a different herb or just leave it with the lime.
Nagi can this be cooked in a rice cooker?i really love it but do burn it every now and then
Very yummy and the lime juice really cuts the richness of the coconut ricr
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Angelina! N x
I made this last night with a Brazilian Coconut Chickpea curry and it was a hit! Hubby loved it and he’s quite particular about his rice. The flavours are fresh yet rich and provides the perfect base for other coconut based dishes as it’s not overpowering. Thanks Nagi 🙂
That’s great to hear Amanda, thanks so much for letting me know! N x
Delicious 😋
Hi Nagi, do you think this would work with quinoa instead of rice? 🙂
Hi Jane, it would but the cook times/liquid ratio would be different!
Nagi I made this and it was so delicious. Thanks for all your great recipes.
Thanks so much for the feedback Michelle!
Hi Nagi, I’ve been following you for quite some time and love your recipes.
I made this rice with the Vietnamese pork chops and it was so delicious. Strangely enough I happen to have kaffir lime powder which I bought online a while ago and it brought such beautiful flavor to the rice.
You’re my go to girl for Asian flavors.
I forgot to add that I substitute chicken broth for the water. It always turns out delicious
Sounds amazing Jan!
This has been one of our favorite side dishes. I serve it with chicken..baked and kabobs. Thanks for sharing!!
Great Jan!!