Are you staring at that package of Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken in your fridge and wondering what to pair it with? I’ve been there! This zesty, flavorful chicken entrée is a fantastic shortcut for busy weeknights, but choosing the perfect side dishes can really elevate your meal from good to OMG-level delicious.
Kevin’s Natural Foods has created a winner with their Cilantro Lime Chicken – it’s packed with bright flavors that deserve equally exciting companions on your plate. After experimenting with countless combinations (and some happy accidents!), I’ve put together this guide to the absolute best sides that complement those vibrant cilantro and lime notes.
The Perfect Pairings for Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken
1. Cilantro Lime Rice
Let’s start with the most obvious (but absolutely delicious) pairing – cilantro lime rice! This side dish echoes the same flavor profile as the chicken while providing a perfect base to soak up all that tasty sauce,
Quick Recipe:
- Cook your favorite rice according to package directions
- Fluff with a fork and stir in:
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime zest and juice
- A touch of butter
- Salt to taste
The bright, zesty flavors mirror what’s happening with the chicken while adding a satisfying carb component to round out your meal.
2. Mexican Street Corn
Mexican Street Corn (Elote) is a fan favorite that adds creamy, spicy, zesty elements to complement the chicken perfectly. The contrast between the sweet corn and tangy lime chicken creates a flavor explosion!
You can serve it on the cob or as “street corn off the cob” (called Esquites) for easier eating. Either way, the combination of charred corn, creamy sauce, tangy lime, and sprinkle of cheese creates a memorable side dish.
3. Fresh Avocado Salad
For a light, refreshing counterpoint to the chicken, an avocado salad is perfect! The creamy texture of ripe avocados provides a wonderful contrast to the zesty chicken.
Simple Avocado Salad Recipe:
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Red onion, finely diced
- Cucumber, chopped
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime juice and olive oil dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
This colorful, nutritious salad brings a cool, creamy element to balance the vibrant flavors of the chicken. Plus, it’s ready in about 5 minutes!
4. Black Bean Salsa
Black bean salsa offers vibrant color and a protein boost alongside your chicken. The combination of black beans, corn, tomatoes, and cilantro creates a flavorful side that complements the chicken perfectly.
You can use it as a topping for the chicken or serve it alongside as a side dish. Either way, it adds texture, nutrition, and a burst of flavor to your meal.
5. Garlic Rice
Sometimes simplicity is best! Garlic rice provides a savory backdrop that lets the cilantro lime chicken shine while still adding its own delicious flavor dimension.
The gentle garlic flavor complements without overwhelming the chicken’s cilantro lime profile. It’s also super easy to make – just sauté some minced garlic in butter before adding your rice and cooking as normal.
6. Mango Salsa
For a sweet-savory-spicy combination that’ll knock your socks off, try pairing your cilantro lime chicken with fresh mango salsa!
Quick Mango Salsa:
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime juice
- Pinch of salt
The tropical sweetness of the mango contrasts beautifully with the tangy lime chicken, creating a balanced bite that’s truly satisfying.
7. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes add a lovely color contrast and nutritional boost to your plate. Their natural sweetness creates an interesting flavor dynamic with the zesty chicken.
Simply cube them, toss with olive oil, salt, and a sprinkle of cumin or cinnamon, then roast at 425°F for about 25 minutes until caramelized and tender. So simple, but so good!
8. Quinoa Pilaf
For a nutrient-rich alternative to rice, quinoa pilaf is a fantastic option! Its fluffy texture and nutty flavor profile make it an excellent canvas for the cilantro lime flavors to shine.
Quinoa contains complete protein, making this a particularly nutritious pairing. Add some sautéed vegetables, herbs, and a squeeze of lime for a side dish that’s both delicious and good for you.
9. Cornbread
The slight sweetness and crumbly texture of cornbread makes it a surprising but delightful partner for cilantro lime chicken.
The contrast between the sweet, cakey cornbread and the zesty, savory chicken creates a perfect balance. Serve it warm with a generous spread of honey butter for an extra touch of indulgence!
10. Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
Sometimes the simplest option is the best! Crispy tortilla chips with creamy guacamole provide the perfect textural contrast to the tender chicken.
You can use store-bought chips and guac, or make your own for extra flavor points. Either way, this combo is always a crowd-pleaser and takes virtually no time to prepare.
Turn It Into Tacos!
One of my favorite ways to serve Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken is to transform it into amazing tacos! According to Kevin’s Natural Foods’ own recipe, you can create incredible cilantro lime chicken tacos with just a few additional ingredients.
For Quick Tacos:
- Cook the chicken according to package directions
- Warm some corn tortillas
- Make a simple pico de gallo with tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice
- Add some guacamole
- Assemble and enjoy!
This turns your chicken entrée into a complete meal that’s fun to eat and bursting with fresh flavors.
Tips for Serving Success
No matter which sides you choose, here are some tips for serving Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken:
- Temperature balance: Serve something cool (like avocado salad) with the warm chicken for contrast
- Texture variety: Combine creamy, crunchy, and tender elements for an interesting plate
- Color contrast: Add vibrant vegetables to make your plate visually appealing
- Flavor echoing: Use cilantro and lime in your sides to create cohesive flavor profiles
- Keep it simple: Let the chicken be the star by not overcomplicating your sides
Final Thoughts
Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken is versatile enough to pair with countless side dishes, but these ten options are consistently delicious companions. Whether you’re looking for something light and fresh or rich and satisfying, there’s a perfect pairing on this list!
My personal fave is serving it with Mexican street corn and avocado salad for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these options.
What’s your favorite way to serve Kevin’s Cilantro Lime Chicken? I’d love to hear your creative pairings in the comments below!
Note: This article contains suggestions for Kevin’s Natural Foods Cilantro Lime Chicken entrée, which is a pre-packaged product available in many grocery stores. The chicken comes with its own cilantro lime sauce, making it a convenient option for quick meals.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Cauli Rice Bowl
- 1 16 ounce package Kevins Cilantro Lime Chicken
- 1 12 ounce package steamable riced cauliflower
- chopped avocado or prepared guacamole
- 1 10 ounce container fresh pico de gallo
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- Heat your skillet for 1 minute with 1TBSP of your choice of cooking oil.
- Add the drained chicken to the hot skillet and saute for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
- Reduce heat to low and add the included sauce packet, stirring for 30 seconds to evenly coat the chicken.
- This is so fast. Pop it in the microwave as youre starting the chicken, and theyll be done at the same time!
- First add the steamed cauliflower rice, dividing evenly between bowls.
- Now, add the hot Cilantro Lime Chicken, again, dividing evenly between bowls.
- Then top according to taste: Add chopped avocado, prepared guacamole–or both!
- Then add the pico de gallo. (You CAN use salsa in a pinch, but I love the lively flavors of fresh pico de gallo in this recipe.)
- Last, top generously with chopped fresh cilantro. AND…youre ready for the table! Its that easy!
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Kevin’s Natural Foods: Cilantro Lime Chicken Review
FAQ
What to pair with cilantro lime chicken?
Serving Suggestions
I love to pile rice (try some coconut lime rice to double down on the cilantro-lime flavors!), lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, salsa, and jalapeños into a bowl and top it with the cilantro-lime chicken. It also works great in tacos or as a main course with Spanish rice and a side salad.
What to eat with cilantro lime ranch?
Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing is a fun twist on a classic dressing! This dressing goes great on green salads, pasta salads, and taco salads, or you can use it anywhere else you would use regular ranch dressing, but want to add zippy twist. Dip your favorite raw veggies to keep it healthy, or even use it as a pizza dip!
What to serve with Kevin’s orange chicken?
Cook your cauliflower rice or brown rice according to package instructions. Add some oil to the pan you cooked the chicken in and add in your broccoli. Cook about 5 minutes until fork tender. Plate your rice, Kevin’s Orange Chicken, and broccoli.
What food goes well with cilantro lime rice?
- Black beans or pinto beans.
- Tofu sofritas.
- Fajita veggies.
- Guacamole.
- Pico de gallo, salsa verde, or corn salsa…