Overhead view of a tray of Cilantro Lime Rice with Shrimp Skewers.

Cilantro Lime Rice with Shrimp Skewers

Eaters will love the combination of flavors and textures of this dish. The cilantro lime rice serves as the perfect base for cooked shrimp skewers then topped with a tasty and refreshing avocado lime crema.

This recipe stars U.S.-grown medium grain brown rice and comes to us from our friend Meagan of @nutrition_by_meagan in partnership with USA Rice.

  • Servings
    3

Ingredients

  • 2 cups medium grain brown rice
  • 2 bell peppers, cut into 1” pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1” pieces
  • 2 tbsps olive oil, divided 
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 15-20 raw shrimp, deveined 
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • Fresh black pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ½ cup diced cucumber
  • Fresh cilantro

Avocado Crema

  • 1 avocado
  •  ¼ cup nonfat plain greek yogurt 
  • 2 tbsps fresh chopped cilantro 
  • 1 tbsp lime juice 
  • ¼ tsp salt 
  • ¼ tsp pepper 
  • 1 garlic clove 
  • 2 tbsps water

Directions

  • Cook 2 cups medium grain U.S.-grown brown rice according to package instructions.
  • Set aside and let cool for 10-15 mins.
  • Chop 2 bell peppers and 1 medium yellow onion into 1x1” pieces. 
  • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil on a large sheet pan or grill pan and add bell peppers (I used a grill pan and placed them all face down spaced apart evenly).
  • Add 1 tsp sea salt and cook on high for 5-7 mins until veggies are crispy and browned, then flip over and cook for another 5-7 mins on the other side. 
  • Remove and set aside, then add 1 tbsp olive oil to pan and place 15-20 raw deveined medium shrimp to the pan on medium-high heat. 
  • Season with 1/4 tsp paprika, 1 tsp minced garlic, and fresh ground black pepper. 
  • Cook shrimp for 2-3 mins on each side until they become opaque and pink. 
  • Add 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley, juice of 1 lime, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 cup diced cucumber to rice.
  • Mix rice together and plate on a large serving platter. 
  • Add the shrimp and veggies to skewers by alternating between shrimp and 3-4 bell peppers and onions (this should make around 6-8 skewers).
  • Place skewers on top of plated rice. 
  • Make the avocado lime crema by blending together 1 avocado, 1/4 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt, 2 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 garlic clove, and 2 tbsp water.
  • Blend until smooth and drizzle over shrimp skewers and rice and top with fresh cilantro.