Cilantro Lime Rice

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Love Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice? Make it at home in minutes! Fresh, zesty, and delicious—it's the perfect side for tacos, bowls & more.

cilantro lime rice in black bowl with lime wedge on white wooden table with spoon + blue napkin

Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

Fresh cilantro and lime add a surprising amount of flavor to basic rice. It's fresh and delicious, without a lot of effort (and it looks pretty too!). Keith has been making Cilantro Lime Rice for years. We like it because it goes well with just about everything: Grilled Chicken, Fish Tacos, or Vegetable Potstickers.

The best part? You don't need to make a Chipotle run to enjoy this tasty recipe. With only 4 ingredients, it's easy to make at home in just minutes.

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Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
🔪Top Tip
Instructions
Variations
🍚 More Side Dish Recipes
Storage
FAQ
Related recipes
Cilantro Lime Rice recipe

cilantro lime rice served in black bowl on white wooden table with spoon, blue napkin

Ingredients

RICE: white rice or brown rice (we like short grain rice). If using brown rice, be sure to add more water when cooking.
WATER: filtered water
LIME: fresh squeezed lime juice
SALT: we like sea salt or kosher salt
CILANTRO: fresh cilantro, chopped

🔪Top Tip

Use a room temperature lime, and roll it on a cutting board (pressing lightly) before cutting it in half. This will give more juice for the rice.

Instructions

RINSE THE RICE: Rinse rice under warm water thoroughly to make sure it is clean and free of excess starches.
COOK THE RICE (according to package directions):
- Rice Cooker Method: place rinsed rice in rice cooker. Add water to cover. Cover and set cooker to cook.
- Stove Top Method: place rinsed rice in sauce pan (measure 1 ½ cups water to each cup of uncooked rice). Bring to a boil, then cover the pan with a lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes (until rice warm and fluffy).
MIX IN LIME JUICE: When rice is done, transfer to mixing bowl. Add juice of one lime.
ADD CILANTRO: Add chopped cilantro and salt. Mix well.
SERVE: serve warm with Pulled Pork Tacos, Steak Fajitas, or Black Bean Quesadillas.

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cilantro lime rice in black bowl on white wooden table with plate of tacos, lime wedges, blue napkin

Variations

SPICE IT UP: add crushed red pepper flakes, sliced green onions, or sliced jalapeños to give Cilantro Lime Rice a kick!
LO CARB: use brown rice or a mixture of white rice and cauliflower riced to reduce carbs.
SUPER FAST: short on time? Use precooked rice packets. Just mix in the lime juice, cilantro, and salt and you're good to go.

🍚 More Side Dish Recipes

Storage

STORE leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FREEZE leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen rice in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours before heating it up.
REHEAT: in microwave or in a sauté pan with a teaspoon of olive oil.

FAQ

What is cilantro lime rice?

Cilantro lime rice is a flavorful side dish made with cooked rice, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings. It’s popular in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.

What type of rice is best for cilantro lime rice?

Long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine, works best for a light and fluffy texture. Brown rice can be used for a heartier option.

Can I make cilantro lime rice with brown rice?

Yes! Simply cook brown rice as directed, then mix in lime juice, zest, and cilantro. Brown rice has a nuttier flavor and a slightly chewier texture.

Can I make cilantro lime rice ahead of time?

Yes! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water to keep it moist.

Should cilantro lime rice be served hot or cold?

We prefer it warm (freshly made), but it honestly tastes great at room temperature too.

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