Cilantro Lime Rice

Are you a fan of Chipotle’s famous cilantro lime rice? Our recipe tastes just like the real thing and is so easy to make! And the best part? You can make it at home in just a few simple steps. Say goodbye to long lines and hello to delicious homemade Mexican food.

Copycat Chipotle rice in a bowl with spoons and sliced fresh lime.

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Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

Some dishes are crying out for more than just a bowl of plain rice, like our easy burrito or mushroom birria tacos, and we have the perfect rice for the job, bursting with cilantro and lime flavor.

Why you’ll love this delicious rice

  • Arguably tastier and much more cost-effective than Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice.
  • Perfect for adding to a burrito, burrito bowls, and as a side dish for Asian or Copycat Mexican food.
  • This rice dish is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto.

Ingredients you’ll need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients needed; fresh cilantro, lime zest, rice, olive oil, salt, and fresh crushed garlic.

Our copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe is not only delicious but also simple to make. The secret is in the fresh ingredients, making this dish a crowd-pleaser every time.

How to make cilantro lime rice with step-by-step instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Add long-grain rice, water, and one teaspoon of olive oil to a saucepan.

Bring to a boil and cover; reduce the heat to a simmer.

Simmer according to your rice packet instructions, approximately 18 – 20 minutes.

When cooked, uncover the pot; using a fork, fluff the rice up, and add lime zest, garlic, the remaining olive oil, fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, and salt, and stir to combine thoroughly.

Cilantro lime rice in a skillet with sliced lime on top.

Recipe notes and expert tips

  • Cilantro
    Add your chopped cilantro right at the end; this ensures that it’s not crushed.
  • Vegetable broth
    Some people like to cook rice in vegetable broth; this will change the flavor, and be aware that it’ll likely change the color.
  • Storage
    Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge, and it freezes very well for up to 3 months.

How to store leftover rice

Keep cooked rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can also freeze cilantro lime rice for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before using, or if you are adding it to soups or stews, then add frozen rice directly to the dish.

Freshly made cilantro lime rice with sliced lime and spoons to eat it with.

Which type of rice should I use?

For this lime cilantro rice recipe, we’ve used long-grain white rice, but you can use basmati rice, long-grain brown rice, or even jasmine rice if you’d prefer.

If you decide to cook brown rice or basmati rice, then you’ll need to adjust the timings of cooking accordingly.

Do I have to rinse rice?

It’s a common misconception that you should rinse cooked rice.

Don’t do it, at least not for this recipe. If you rinse the rice, then you’ll end up with soggy rice instead of light and fluffy rice.

You may want to rinse uncooked rice if you have bought it from a street seller or are worried about it; if so, use a fine mesh sieve and rinse until the water runs clear.

It’ll also remove excess starch, but personally, I don’t think it makes any real difference to the rice.

Vegetarian burrito filled with rice and beans and ready to eat.

What to serve with cilantro lime rice

Serve this delicious rice in stuffed peppers as a side to vegetable bhuna, to this easy stir fry recipe or Korean cucumber salad.

Add the rice to quesadillas or enchiladas; there are so many different ways you can use it.

Should I use a rice cooker?

Yes, you can!

Even though we cook ours on the stove top, many people prefer to use a rice cooker, so if that’s your chosen method of cooking rice, then go ahead and use it.

Is cilantro lime rice spicy?

No, it’s zesty, vibrant, and super fresh tasting, but not spicy and perfect for when you’re looking for something different than plain rice.

If you’d like to add a little heat to it, then add finely diced chili peppers to it.

More easy recipes for you to try at home

If you’ve enjoyed our delicious rice, why not try these easy recipes?

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Cilantro Lime Rice

Craving Chipotle but don't feel like leaving the house? No problem! Our copycat recipe for cilantro lime rice will bring the taste of Chipotle straight to your kitchen. Bursting with zesty lime and full of fragrant cilantro, you'll never have to pay expensive restaurant prices again.
Cook Time25 minutes
Servings6
Calories539
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Mexican

Utensils

Saucepan with a lid

Ingredients

For the Cilantro Lime Rice

  • 1 cup Rice Long grained, rinsed and drained
  • cups Water
  • 3 tsp Extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 tsp Lime zest
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • ½ cup Cilantro finely chopped
  • tbsp Fresh lime juice
  • ¼ tsp Salt

Instructions

For the Cilantro Lime Rice

  • Add rice, water, and one teaspoon of olive oil to a lidded saucepan. Bring to a boil and cover; reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer according to your rice packet instructions, approximately 18 – 20 minutes. Once cooked, take it off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes.
    1 cup Rice, 1½ cups Water, 3 tsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • Uncover the saucepan; using a fork, fluff the rice up, and add lime zest, garlic, the remaining olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, and salt, and stir to combine thoroughly. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    1 tsp Lime zest, 1 clove Garlic, ½ cup Cilantro, 1½ tbsp Fresh lime juice, ¼ tsp Salt

Notes

  • Cilantro
     Add your chopped cilantro right at the end; this ensures that it’s not crushed.
  • Vegetable broth
     Some people like to cook rice in vegetable broth; this will change the flavor, and be aware that it’ll likely change the color.
  • Storage
     Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge, and it freezes very well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 1443mg | Potassium: 1026mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2257IU | Vitamin C: 95mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 7mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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