Cilantro Lime Rice
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A quick and easy side dish perfect for serving alongside your favorite Mexican or Latin-inspired recipes, this easy Cilantro Lime Rice tastes just like Chipotle’s version.
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Today’s copycat recipe for Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice is one of my favorite ways to prepare rice.
It’s incredibly quick and easy to make, especially if you’re already making a main dish that contains lime and cilantro. I toast the rice briefly to give it a bit of nutty depth before boiling in garlic-and-lime enhanced water or broth until tender. Finish it off with fresh lime juice, cilantro and a bit of oil and you have the perfect cilantro lime rice!
Toasting the rice has the added benefit of helping it get fluffy instead of sticky, while the zesty lime and herby cilantro adds freshness to whatever you pair it with – tacos, grilled meats, roasted veggies, etc. It’s also a great base for homemade rice bowls (for a DIY Chipotle-style meal at home).
Our cilantro lime rice is a quick, fluffy side dish made with long-grain white rice, fresh lime juice and cilantro for a bright, restaurant-style finish. Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls and grilled meats, it delivers fresh flavor with simple pantry ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe- Bright, balanced flavor that complements a wide range of main dishes, especially Latin-inspired recipes.
- Reliable, fluffy texture with minimal effort.
- Perfect for meal prep or simple weeknight dinners.
What goes with Cilantro Lime Rice?
Cilantro lime rice is a bright, versatile side that works best with protein-heavy, flavorful mains – especially from Mexican and Asian cuisines, plus grilled items:
- Tacos
- Grilled Steak or Carne Asada (from Pinch and Swirl)
- Enchiladas
- Chiles rellenos (from Serious Eats)
- Carnitas
- Huli Huli Chicken
- Grilled or Marinated Shrimp
- Burrito Bowls
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but increase the water and cooking time significantly. Brown rice typically needs about 40-45 minutes and closer to 2 1/2 cups of liquid.
Too much water or overcooking is the usual cause. Measuring precisely and avoiding lifting the lid while it cooks helps maintain the right texture.
Yes, it reheats well. Add a small splash of water before reheating to loosen the grains and refresh the texture. (If microwaving, I like to add an ice cube before heating and then just dispose of the slightly melted ice afterwards – it adds the perfect amount of moisture.)
It can be frozen, though the herbs lose some brightness. For best results, freeze the rice without the cilantro, adding a bit of fresh lime and all the cilantro after reheating.
Freeze for 2-3 months in an airtight freezer container.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients- Olive Oil
- Long-Grain White Rice, washed
- Minced Garlic
- Water
- Salt, to taste
- Lime Zest
- Lime Juice, to taste
- Cilantro Leaves
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Large Pot
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Sharp Kitchen Knife
- Cutting Board
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula <– I like these spatulas because they are one solid piece and don’t have removable heads for bacteria to get trapped underneath. Plus they are heat-resistant and have a lifetime warranty.
- Citrus Juicer
- Micropane Grater
How to Make Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
How to Make Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime RicePlace 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the garlic and rice and stir constantly for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and some of the rice begins to toast and turn slightly golden.
Add the water, salt and lime zest to the saucepan.
Bring water to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10-12 minutes, until rice is fluffy and all cooking water is absorbed. Remove from the heat.
Stir in the lime juice, optional olive oil and the cilantro leaves.
For the cilantro, I included 1/2 cup of whole leaves and 1/4 cup of finely chopped leaves. You can choose to finely chop all of the leaves, if preferred.
Taste and adjust seasoning to your personal preferences.
Makes 4 servings.
Cilantro Rice Recipe Variations:
- Use jasmine rice for a softer, slightly floral version with a more tender bite.
- Swap water for chicken or vegetable broth to deepen the savory base.
- Stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end for a richer, silkier finish.
- Add finely diced jalapeño or serrano with the garlic for gentle heat.
- Fold in a handful of scallions or a pinch of cumin for a more Tex-Mex profile.
Tips for the Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice
- Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Toast the rice just until a few grains turn lightly golden; over-toasting can lead to uneven cooking.
- Use fresh lime zest and juice, not bottled, for a cleaner and more vibrant flavor.
- Add lime juice after cooking to preserve its brightness and avoid bitterness.
- Chop cilantro just before using to maintain its fresh aroma and color.
- Stir in the cilantro off heat just before serving. Excess heat dulls both the color and flavor.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Pin this Cilantro Lime Rice That Tastes Better Than Takeout:
Pin this Cilantro Lime Rice That Tastes Better Than Takeout:
Printable Recipe Card:
Printable Recipe Card:Grab your free printable recipe card for our easy Cilantro Lime Rice recipe.
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Cilantro Lime Rice
A quick and easy recipe for making Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice at home, the perfect side dish for Mexican meals. This fluffy rice has the perfect balance of salt, zesty lime and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 cups Long-Grain White Rice, washed
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 2 1/3 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt, to taste
- Zest of One Lime
- 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice, to taste
- 3/4 cup Cilantro Leaves
Instructions
- Place 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and rice and stir constantly for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and some of the rice begins to toast and turn slightly golden.
- Add the water, salt and lime zest to the saucepan.
- Bring water to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10-12 minutes, until rice is fluffy and all cooking water is absorbed. Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the lime juice, optional olive oil and the cilantro leaves.
- For the cilantro, I included 1/2 cup of whole leaves and 1/4 cup of finely chopped leaves. You can choose to finely chop all of the leaves, if preferred.
- Taste and adjust seasoning to your personal preferences.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 94Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 385mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
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