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Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro Lime Rice – If you love the rice at Chipotle and other restaurants like it, you are going to love this! It is so easy to make, and loaded with flavor.

I love carbs and rice is right up there with one of my favorite things. Whenever we go out for Mexican food, I have to get rice. It is just so fluffy and good. This Instant Pot Spanish Rice is like the rice from a more traditional Mexican restaurant.

The rice at Chipotle and other quick service Mexican places is loaded with cilantro and lime to make it anything but, just white rice. But depending on how long it has been sitting out, I find you can either get a good serving or the cilantro is kind of wilted and tasteless. But when you make it at home, it is always perfect!

cilantro lime rice in a white bowl on a table

 

If you are new here, you may not know that I have a thing for copycat recipes. I love to recreate restaurant favorites at home. This Roasted Chili Corn Salsa is another Chipotle recipe that will go perfectly with this rice. You can start building your own bowls or burritos in no time.

What You’ll Need

  • Basmati Rice – or another long grain white rice like jasmine rice
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Cilantro
  • Lime
  • Bay Leaf

Yep, I have found the secret to having your rice taste just like the restaurant is the bay leaf. Chipotle actually says on their website that they use it, so I tried it and was shocked! You may never make plain white rice again after you try cooking it this way.

ingredients for cilantro lime rice on a table

How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice

  1. The first thing you want to do is rinse your rice. This helps to make sure you get rid of any extra starch and leads to a less clumpy, fluffier rice.
  2. If you have a rice cooker (or even the Instant Pot) it is perfect to make in there. But no worries, the stovetop works great too. If making on the stove, combine the rice with the water, oil, and bay leaf in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
  3. Once the rice is cooked fluff it with a fork and add in the cilantro, lime zest and lime juice. Mix until it is well combined.
  4. Taste the rice and add additional salt if necessary.

The best part about making it at home is you can make it how you like it! If you think there isn’t enough lime juice, you can add more. If you don’t really like cilantro you can use parsley. If you like things spicy, add in a little diced jalapeno.

adding cilantro and lime to a bowl of rice

What To Serve With Cilantro Lime Rice

You really can just serve this on the side with Chicken Tenders and it would a great easy dinner. But there are all sorts of ways to make it over the top as well.

cilantro lime rice in a white bowl

What Rice To Use

I like to use basmati rice for this. It is a long grain rice that cooks up very fluffy and not sticky. Jasmine rice is another good one if you have that at home. Just make sure to use a long grain rice, not medium or short. Medium and short grain rice tend to be soft, moist and chewy – which is not what we are going for here.

And the key to the best rice is always to rinse it first. Pour it into a colander and run water through it, while you gently shake it back and forth. After a minute or two when the water is mostly clear you can start cooking it with. Washing away the extra starch gives you the fluffiest rice.

cilantro lime rice close up for pinterest

More Copycat Recipes To Try

Yield: 4

Cilantro Lime Rice

close up cilantro lime rice in a white bowl

Cilantro Lime Rice - If you love the rice at Chipotle and other restaurants like it, you are going to love this! It is so easy to make, and loaded with flavor.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice (basmati or jasmine rice), rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro (about 1 cup)
  • 3 Tablespoons lime juice
  • zest 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Combine the rice with the water, oil, salt and bay leaf in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
  2. Meanwhile finely chop the cilantro and mix with the lime zest.
  3. Once the rice is cooked fluff it with a fork and add in the cilantro, lime zest and lime juice. Mix until it is well combined.
  • Taste the rice and add additional salt if necessary.
  • Notes

    If you are using a rice cooker: Add 2 of the cups your rice cooker uses to measure, and fill to the appropriate mark with water. Add the oil, salt, bay leaf, and cook as normal.

    Nutrition Information

    Yield

    4

    Serving Size

    1

    Amount Per Serving Calories 73Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 277mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 2g

    Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

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    Sandra

    Monday 4th of April 2022

    Everyone at my house loved this! It is such an amazing side dish! So perfect!

    Erik

    Monday 4th of April 2022

    Such a great flavor. Perfect side!

    Amanda

    Monday 4th of April 2022

    This tastes just like chipotle's rice! So delicious!

    Catalina

    Monday 4th of April 2022

    This is a flavorful and easy to make side dish. I think it's perfect with chicken.

    Vikki

    Monday 4th of April 2022

    This tastes just like the kind at restaurants! I had some with shredded chicken and it was a super tasty dinner!

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