Low-Cal Cilantro Lime Chicken (Printable Version)

A vibrant bowl featuring juicy cilantro lime chicken over fluffy cauliflower rice with fresh veggies and zesty dressing.

# What You Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
04 - 2 teaspoons olive oil
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ For the Cauliflower Rice

10 - 1 large head cauliflower, about 6 cups florets
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

→ Toppings

16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
19 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
20 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor development.
02 - While the chicken marinates, remove leaves and core from the cauliflower. Chop into florets and pulse in a food processor until the texture resembles rice grains.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the processed cauliflower rice, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until tender. Stir in lime juice and cilantro, then set aside and keep warm.
04 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and juices run clear. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
05 - Divide cooked cauliflower rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken, cherry tomato halves, avocado slices, red onion, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It actually tastes exciting: The cilantro lime marinade makes this feel restaurant-quality, not like diet food.
  • You'll feel genuinely full: The protein and healthy fats keep you satisfied without the post-meal crash.
  • Meal prep dream: Everything holds up beautifully in the fridge, so you can make it once and eat well all week.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinade time: I once tried to rush this with 5 minutes in a hurry, and the chicken tasted flat. The flavors need those minutes to actually penetrate the meat and wake it up.
  • Cauliflower rice can release water: If you sauté it low and slow, it evaporates and the texture stays perfect; blast it on high heat and you'll end up with a watery, mushy mess.
03 -
  • Pound your chicken to even thickness: This sounds like extra work, but it means everything cooks at the same rate and you avoid dry edges and raw centers.
  • Toast your spices in a dry pan first if you have time: It wakes them up and deepens the flavor, making the marinade taste less flat and more intentional.
Go Back