Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe - Tangy rice flavored with lime, salt and cilantro! This is an easy side dish made on the stove top. It uses simple ingredients and goes with all your favorite Mexican food! Whether stuffed in your burrito, in a burrito bowl or piled next to your plate of enchiladas, this is a great side dish! And so much better than just plain rice!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Only the best rice ever! If you've been to Chipotle restaurant rice is always an option whether you're having a burrito, taco or bowl. You can choose white or brown rice, both are delicious.
✔️ super easy recipe. It's a great option instead of plain white rice.
✔️ uses a handful of ingredients.
✔️ Just like your favorite, this copycat recipe brings the flavor!
It's so easy to make and flavored with lime, salt and chopped cilantro. It's the perfect side dish for so many meals.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- white rice or brown rice - I prefer jasmine rice or long-grain rice but you can certainly use any type of rice. However, if you use brown rice, be sure to add additional cooking time.
- The lime flavor comes from fresh lime juice in a pinch, you can use fresh lemon juice.
- fresh cilantro
- salt
- water or if you'd prefer use chicken broth for even more flavor.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions, just scroll down to the bottom!
This side is so simple to make!
- Rinse the rice to remove excess starch.
- Sauté rice in olive oil - making sure each grain gets toasted.
- Add the salt and water, bring to a boil.
- Reduce to simmer and cook according to package directions.
- When done, remove from heat, fluff with fork and stir in cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice.
Instant pot instructions
- Start by rinsing the rice.
- Turn the pressure cooker to sauté. When hot, add the olive oil and rice. Sauté the rice making sure each piece rice is coated in oil and gets good and toasty!
- Add the water and salt.
- Secure the lid of the pressure cooker.
- White rice (basmati or jasmine): 5 minutes - Long-grain brown rice: 10 minutes
- Cook on high, natural pressure release at the end for 10 minutes.
FAQ's
Basmati rice, a long grain rice is ideal for this recipe. However if you only have short grain rice on hand. Don't sweat! Use what is available to you.
Yes, you can make chipotle rice brown rice.
One cup white rice yields about three cups cooked. Brown rice makes nearly four cups cooked.
Absolutely! There is so much flavor in the stems you'll definitely want to use them. Chop the stems finely.
Variations
- Use brown rice instead of white rice. Be sure to adjust the cooking time as brown rice takes longer to cook.
- If your family eats a lot of rice, consider a rice cooker.
Storage
Refrigerator - Store leftovers refrigerated in air tight containers. It will last in the refrigerator for about four days. Speaking of leftovers, they make terrific Chicken Fried Rice!
Freezer - I don't recommend freezing rice as it gets quite dry.
Related recipes
More of my favorite TexMex recipes are:
- Ground Beef Taco Dip - super easy t make and a real crow pleaser!
- Classic Velveeta Cheese Dip - hot and cheesy, this has so much flavor.
- Mexican Coleslaw Recipe - your classic slaw with a southwest twist!
- Beans and Cheese Dip Recipe - only three ingredients, all you'll need is a bag of chips!
- Authentic New Mexico Posole Recipe - best soup ever! You'll love this spicy soup!
Serve with
Be sure to serve this with your favorite Mexican recipes. Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Chipotle Black Beans would be amazing. What a feast!
- This rice would also be terrific served with Queso Chicken Enchiladas.
- A nice bright southwest salad would be simple and fresh.
- This fresh Mexican fruit salad recipe always has been one of my favorites.
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Chipotle Lime Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice basmati or jasmine will work too!
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 2 limes juiced
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon canola oil vegetable or peanut oil can be substituted.
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Instructions
- Put the rice in a sieve and rinse well under running water.
- In a small heavy pot over medium add the oil and rice, saute for about three minutes. Make sure every kernel of rice is coated and toasted. The rice will begin to smell nutty and fragrant.
- Next add the salt and water. Increase the heat to high and cook as per package directions.
- While the rice is cooking, juice the limes and chop the cilantro.
- When the rice is done cooking, fluff with fork and mix in the lime, zest and cilantro. Mix well, serve and enjoy!
Notes
Pressure cooker instructions
- Start by rinsing the rice.
- Turn the pressure cooker to sauté. When hot, add the olive oil and rice. Sauté the rice making sure each rice is coated in oil and gets good and toasty!
- Add the water and salt.
- Secure the lid of the pressure cooker.
- White rice (basmati or jasmine): 5 minutes - Long-grain brown rice: 10 minutes
- Cook on high, natural pressure release at the end for 10 minutes.
Got leftovers and want to change up the rice?
The flavors can easily be changed for an Asian dish by adding a couple of teaspoons of sesame oil. Stir it through and wa-la, just like that you have a super yummy fried rice for your next meal!Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Recipe backstory
When I moved to Fresno, I made many trips for house hunting. My buddy Jessica was our Realtor and days were spent with a long drive from Sacramento, dashing through several homes, lunch, touring homes and back on the road to Sac Town.
Lunches were usually quick and on the go. Chipotle was a favorite then and it still is now. I love the bowls (of course), burritos and tacos. There are so many combinations, you never have to eat the same thing twice!
So since that's a real favorite I began making their eats at home. It's always fresh and delicious and one that I've perfected is their Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe.
We really love and I think you will too!
Jennifer Stewart
I love this as an addition to any of the Mexican dishes I make for Taco Tuesday!
Debi
We do taco night all the time, and this rice was the perfect addition. I ate mine in the taco while my husband ate his as a side dish.