Description

This Slow Cooker Cilantro-Lime Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and easy-to-make one-pot meal. Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a zesty cilantro, lime, garlic, and ginger marinade, infused with turmeric and cumin seeds, then layered with perfectly rinsed basmati rice and chicken broth. After slow cooking, the dish is topped with crunchy slivered almonds or cashews and fresh cilantro for a vibrant, wholesome dinner that’s both comforting and packed with fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

2 limes, juiced (about ¼ cup), plus more to taste
1 large bunch cilantro, stems included, plus more for garnish
8 cloves garlic, peeled
1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more to taste
½ teaspoon ground turmeric

Main Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1½ cups long-grain white rice, preferably basmati
1¼ cups chicken stock or broth
1 teaspoon cumin seeds

For Serving

Slivered almonds or coarsely chopped cashews
Extra cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: Combine the lime juice, cilantro (including stems), garlic, ginger, canola oil, kosher salt, and ground turmeric in a blender. Purée until smooth, then scrape the mixture into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker.
Marinate the chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the slow cooker and stir well to ensure the sauce coats all the chicken pieces thoroughly.
Rinse the rice: Place the basmati rice in a bowl and rinse under water repeatedly, pouring the water into a strainer and using fresh water each time until the draining water runs clear. This usually takes 5 to 6 rinses and removes excess starch for fluffy rice.
Layer rice and broth: Spread the rinsed rice evenly over the marinated chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the chicken stock or broth evenly over the rice. Sprinkle cumin seeds on top.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the high setting for 2 hours and 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
Finish the dish: Gently fluff the rice with a fork and break the chicken into smaller pieces within the pot. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed, adding additional salt or lime juice to your preference.
Serve: Spoon portions onto plates and garnish with slivered almonds or chopped cashews and extra cilantro leaves for a fresh, crunchy finish.

Notes

Rinsing the rice thoroughly is important for preventing it from becoming sticky or clumping while cooking.
You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth for a slight variation in flavor.
If you prefer, boneless skinless chicken breasts can be used, but thighs yield juicier results.
Adjust the lime juice amount at the end for more brightness according to taste.
To make it gluten-free, ensure the chicken stock or broth is certified gluten-free.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, cilantro lime chicken, chicken and rice, easy slow cooker recipe, one-pot chicken dinner, basmati rice recipe, slow cooker dinner