Cilantro lime rice is packed with fresh herbs and zesty flavors. Better than Chipotle’s, because it’s homemade and you get to adjust the flavors. A filling side dish to any Mexican meal (or Tex-Mex) especially in burritos.

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The BEST cilantro lime rice recipe
- If you are bored of plain rice, try light flavored rice, try this lime cilantro rice. It’s bright, fresh, and has zippy lime flavors. A side dish that you want to have with any Mexican meal. This recipe is a copycat of the popular Chipotle cilantro lime rice recipe, but it’s even better.
- Like I always say homemade scores better. You get to adjust the flavors and taste as per your preference and you also can make it healthy as possible.
- A rice recipe that is delicious, easy to make and you can whip it up pretty fast too. And it goes great with everything…almost! Rice is so inexpensive, if you are on budget meals, rice is what you should be putting as a side dish.
If you don’t have to eat this as the main course. Use this light, filling, fresh as a side dish with not just Mexican-inspired meals, but also with BBQ, and roast chicken. And like you guessed, this rice goes perfect with burrito bowls and tacos.
Planning taco Tuesday? Upgrade your plain rice to bright, fresh rice instead of boring plain rice.
A side dish recipe that needs very few, inexpensive ingredients, fewer hands-on work, and is quick on the clock. We are talking in less than 30 minutes.
White long grain rice is best for the recipe. As long grain rice has less starch, once cooked they remain drier and each grain is separated. Sticky rice varieties are not an ideal choice for this lime cilantro rice recipe.
Long grain rice also has a distinct flavor that works great with the flavors used in the recipe.
Chipotle copycat cilantro lime rice recipe
- Because plain rice is boring. You need an upgrade. The cilantro and lime recipe is a perfect fit.
- This flavored rice is not overpowering. The subtle flavors are fresh, light and so wonderful.
- Not just for Mexican cuisine, but you can serve this with any American and Asian recipes too. Think BBQ or roasted meat and lime cilantro rice on the side. On the sides on chicken wings – yum.
- Love taco nights? Then this rice recipe is just for you. It’s great with tacos and burrito bowls.
- With very less prep work, and very little cooking time this rice dish is ready.
- Rice cooks in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients needed
All simple, readily available ingredients that will work under your budget.
- Long grain rice (basmati rice) – long grain rice cooks fast and the texture is better for this recipe. However you can use short grain normal rice too, cooking time may vary for short grain rice. Check this post to know how to cook rice.
- Water or chicken stock or vegetable stock – definitely recommend stock (chicken stock or vegetable stock if you want a vegan option)
- Olive oil – can use vegetable cooking oil too or any other flavorless oil for the recipe.
- Butter – unsalted butter. Butter is usually added at the end to enrich the taste and texture of rice.
- Lime juice – best to use only freshly squeezed lime juice. I wouldn’t recommend bottled lime juice at all.
- Lime zest – freshly grated lime zest
- Cilantro – please adjust the amount of cilantro you want to use in the rice as per your taste preference. Many people aren’t a fan of cilantro, for those users as much as you can bare. I wouldn’t recommend any other alternatives for cilantro, as the recipe is all about cilantro.
- Pinch of salt (optional)
The best variety of rice?
You need rice that has less starch, so you get nonsticky rice once cooked. Long grain rice is the best choice. Any long grain rice like –
basmati rice,
long grain brown rice,
extra long grain white rice
Jasmine white rice
or brown rice
are the ones you should be picking.
How to make cilantro lime rice?
- Rinse the rice: Always rinse rice before you cook it. This helps removes excess starch (surface starch) and keeps it from sticking together. Rinsing gets rid of any dirt. Place rice in a fine mesh strainer or a bowl and rinse it several times. Rinse by scrubbing rice gently with fingertips.
- Saute Another step I follow to make rice cook perfectly with separated grains. Heat little oil (olive oil or canola oil). Saute rinsed rice in a heavy bottom saucepan on medium heat. Keep stirring until rice begins to brown. This step will ensure rice is cooked perfectly and also every grain remains separated. Note: Sauteing rice in oil has another advantage. If you follow this step, rice will not stick (and burn) at the bottom.
- Water To Rice Ratio: We shared the detailed recipe on how to steam rice a few days back which covers in detail information of everything about how to steam rice along with the water to rice ratio for each type of rice. Check how to steam rice post for details. For long grain rice, use a 1:2 ratio. For every 1 cup long grain rice, add 2 cups of liquids. Once the rice is sauteed, add the liquid of your choice – water or chicken stock to pack in more flavors. For the vegetarian option, use vegetable stock. Scrape rice sticking to the side of the pan into the liquid.
- Simmer and Cook: Simmer flame to medium-low heat and bring water to boil. Pro-Tip: it’s important to cook rice at the correct temperatures. If cooked on high heat, water will evaporate very quickly preventing the rice from absorbing the liquids, thus your rice won’t get cooked as desired. Cook uncovered until the water level drops below the surface of the rice.
Reduce flame to low. Cover pan with lid (when almost 90% of water is absorbed) and simmer cook for about 12 minutes. Note: Heat should be at its lowest temperature. Else rice will begin to burn at the bottom. DO NOT Stir the rice in between. Leave it untouched.
- Let it Rest: Once cooked remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes undisturbed. Do not open the lid. This helps the rice to cook through. Rice absorbs moisture from steam and makes it fluffy and perfect.
- Flavor: Open lid. Add butter, lime juice, cilantro, and lime zest and gently fluff it with a fork or spatula. If needed add salt as per taste.
How long does cilantro lime rice last?
If you choose to, you can make this rice ahead and store it in the fridge. Any leftover rice can be refrigerated. Make sure the cooked rice is cooled completely. Then store in airtight containers or air-tight zip lock bags and store in the fridge for about 3 days to 3 months (freezer).
To store longer -freezer rice in air-tight bags for up to 3 months.
To re-heat – thaw frozen rice in the fridge for a couple of hours. Then transfer into a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in the microwave for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add a splash of water before reheating if you feel the rice is too dry. This will help rice stay moist even after reheating.
Useful tips
- Use long grain rice for best results. Wouldn’t recommend sticky rice types.
- Always rinse rice. This helps remove excess starch and rice stays separated.
- Use chicken stock (or vegetable stock) to add more flavors to rice instead of plain water.
- Sautéing rice first in oil helps bring out flavors from the rice (long grain rice is aromatic and full of flavors) plus prevents rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Begin with 1:2 ratio. It works perfectly for me all the time. In case the ratio doesn’t work for you, reduce the water level the next time you cook to 1 ¾ cup instead of 2 cups for every 1 cup long grain rice.
- For perfectly cooked rice, simmer heat to low and cook. Rice will absorb all the moisture from the steam and cook perfectly.
- Allow rice to rest once cooking is done, without opening the lid.
LOVE RICE ? DON’T MISS OTHER RICE RECIPES FROM THE BLOG –
- How To Make Steamed Rice
- Cooking Rice In Instant Pot
- Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
- Chicken Meal Prep
- Coconut Rice
- Lemon Rice
- Curd Rice
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📋Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Equipment
- Sauce Pan
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice basmati rice
- 2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon butter optional, highly recommended
- 3 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- Zest of one lime
- 1 cup cilantro leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Always rinse rice before you cook it. This helps removes excess starch (surface stars and keeps it from sticking together. Rinsing gets rid of any dirt.
- Place rice in a fine mesh strainer or a bowl and rinse it several times. Rinse by scrubbing rice gently with fingertips.
- Saute Another step I follow to make rice cook perfectly with separated grains. Heat little oil (olive oil or canola oil). Saute rinsed rice in a heavy bottom saucepan on medium heat. Keep stirring until rice begins to brown. This step will ensure rice is cooked perfectly and also every grain remains separated.Note: Sauteing rice in oil has another advantage. If you follow this step, rice will not stick to the bottom.
- Water To Rice Ratio: We shared the detailed recipe on how to steam rice a few days back which covers in detail information of everything about how to steam rice along with the water to rice ratio for each type of rice. Check how to steam rice post for details. For long grain rice, use a 1:2 ratio. For every 1 cup long grain rice, add 2 cups of liquids. Add liquid of your choice – water or chicken stock to pack in more flavors. For the vegetarian option, use vegetable stock.
- Scrape rice sticking to the side of the pan into the liquid.
- Simmer and Cook: Simmer flame to medium-low heat and bring water to boil.Pro-Tip: it’s important to cook rice at the correct temperatures. If cooked on high heat, water will evaporate very quickly preventing the rice from absorbing the liquids, thus your rice won’t get cooked as desired.
- Cook uncovered until the water level drops below the surface of the rice. Then reduce the flame to low. Now cover the pan with a lid (when almost 90% of water is absorbed simmer and cook for about 12 minutes.Note: Heat should be at its lowest temperature. Else rice will begin to burn at the bottom.
- DO NOT Stir rice in between. Leave it untouched.
- Let it Rest: Once cooked remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes undisturbed. Do not open the lid. This helps the rice to cook through. Rice absorbs moisture from steam and makes it fluffy and perfect.
- Flavor: Open lid. Add butter, lime juice, cilantro, and lime zest and gently fluff it with a fork or spatula. If needed add salt as per taste.
- Serve with your favorite food.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Notes
- Use long grain rice for best results. Wouldn’t recommend sticky rice types.
- Always rinse rice. This helps remove excess starch and rice stays separated. This isn’t an ASIAN dish where you would need sticky rice, so I do recommend rinsing rice, but I would leave the decision to you. If you don’t want to rinse rice, go ahead, but note your cilantro rice would turn a bit sticky, and if you don’t mind sticky rice you’re good!
- Use chicken stock (or vegetable stock) to add more flavors to rice instead of plain water.
- Sautéing rice first in oil helps brings out flavors from the rice (long grain rice is aromatic and full of flavors) plus prevents rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Begin with a 1:2 ratio. It works perfectly for me all the time. In case the ratio doesn’t work for you, reduce the water level the next time you cook to 1 ¾ cup instead of 2 cups for every 1 cup long grain rice.
- For perfectly cooked rice, simmer heat to low and cook. Rice will absorb all the moisture from the steam and cook perfectly.
- Allow rice to rest once cooking is done, without opening the lid.
Created by Jyothi Rajesh
Jyothi Rajesh is the founder of the food blog, Curry Trail. She lives in Bangalore, India and is the mom of two beautiful kids. Her passion is creating and sharing delicious and easy recipes for the home cook. She’s been blogging since 2007 and many of her recipes have appeared in both online and print publications over the years. Learn more about Jyothi Rajesh.
Comments & Reviews
Stephanie says
I love this recipe so much! It has the perfect amount of lime and cilantro flavor and pairs really well with Latin dishes.
Jyothi Rajesh says
I’m so glad you loved the recipe Stephanie, thank you for sharing your feedback.
ENorth says
Don’t rinse the rice. According to the FDA, “washing rice before it is cooked may send valuable protein down the drain, as well as other water-soluble nutrients“ and “Keep in mind that rinsing rice may reduce the levels of folate, iron, niacin and thiamin, by 50 to 70 percent, according to the Food and Drug Administration, and that the largest risk for arsenic exposure from rice is for those who eat it several times a day.”
Nicole Blades says
So good! And the directions for cooking rice is a game changer!! No more over boil!
FYI: this recipe also freezes well. I’ve tried it.
Jyothi Rajesh says
I’m so glad you loved the recipe Nicole Blades. Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Morgan says
I’ve made this before with regular rice and it’s incredible. Do you think it would work with cauliflower rice? 😊
Jyothi Rajesh says
I haven’t experimented with cauliflower rice, so I can’t say for sure. My guess would be, it may work. Do remember, don’t believe anyone says cauliflower rice tastes like real rice. I have experimented with cauliflower rice and tried cauliflower fried rice, you’ll notice the difference in taste and texture immediately.
But since cauliflower has got a neutral taste, you can easily use it in any dish by adding different flavors to it.
Dusty says
Delicious and easy! I did substitute brown rice but other than that everything was the same. It went really well with the cilantro lime chicken I made. I just cut it up and served it over this amazing rice! Perfect dinner!
Jyothi Rajesh says
So glad you loved it Dusty, thank you
Nicole W says
This is one of my family’s favorite dishes! I am making quite a lot of this for a teachers’ lunch this week. Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Jyothi Rajesh says
Yes you can make it in instant pot. For details on rice to water ratio in instant pot, please check this post – https://www.currytrail.in/cooking-rice-instant-pot-white-brown-rice/
Cindie says
Delicious!!! Thank you. I love Chipotle’s and your tips on the rice is the greatest. I can’t always get to the restaurant, especially since COVID 19. Now I can get my Chipotle’s fix at home. The rice really makes it.
Jyothi Rajesh says
I’m so glad to hear you loved the recipe Cindie!
Candice Parker says
This will be THE only rice recipe that I will use in the future. I have made this recipe twice and it never disappoints. I actually lost this recipe after I made it the first time and couldn’t remember where I found it. Well I am so thankful and glad I found it once again so I could fix it a second time. The rice came out perfect. I followed the directions to a T and I used chicken broth instead of water. Let me tell you that makes a word of difference. I will never fix rice with water again lol.
Jyothi Rajesh says
So glad you loved the recipe Candice!