This vibrant Lime Cilantro Rice has become a staple for our family meals. Whether we’re having taco night, grilling up some chicken, or even just craving a flavorful side dish to brighten up a simple weeknight dinner my zesty and refreshing cilantro lime rice is my new go to. It’s simpler than you think and guaranteed to be a hit with your own crew.
If your family loves a spicy kick to their meals, then try my chunky guacamole and my mexican style corn cakes.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe is a Keeper
The bright flavor from the cilantro and lime juice compliments and cools down your spicy dishes. It may even remind you of the rice you get from your favorite Mexican restaurant. It’s very similar to the Cilantro Lime Rice from Chipotle.
- 30-Minute Meal: Make rice on the stove in no time.
- Easy Ingredients: Only 5 ingredients plus water. Fresh cilantro and bright lime truly enhance the rice.
- Flavor Boost: The bright, citrusy lime and fresh cilantro add a burst of flavor to plain rice.
- Versatility: It pairs well with a wide range of cuisines, including Mexican, Asian, and Mediterranean.
- Easy to Make: It requires minimal ingredients and simple cooking techniques. Use your favorite rice. Long-grain brown rice or white rice, just follow the package instructions for cooking your rice.
- Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a flavorful alternative to plain rice that’s often enjoyed by everyone. Lime rice is the best and it is the perfect rice for mexican meals or rice bowls.
- Toppings: When rice is cooked top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Serve with a wedge of extra lime on the side.
What do you serve cilantro rice with?
There are so many things such as: tacos, burritos, fajitas and enchiladas. It makes a great base for burrito bowls and salads as well. All proteins are complemented by this rice. Try it with grilled chicken, fish or shrimp.
Pro Tip For this Favorite Rice – Rinse the Rice Before Cooking
Rinsing the rice is key. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear. This removes the loose starch on the surface of the grains, which is a primary cause of stickiness.orem
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions for Cilantro Rice Recipe
Fresh ingredients are key to a fabulous rice. Therefore, use fresh lime juice and fresh cilantro to really highlight the rice grains.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- White Rice: It is best to use a long-grain rice for this copycat dish, make sure to rinse the rice. You can use white rice or brown rice.
- VARIATIONS: Long-grain white rice is traditional, but brown rice, Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, or cauliflower rice can be great in this recipe.
- Butter: Use salted butter.
- Fresh Lime Juice: You will need the zest for one whole lime and two tablespoons of lime juice.
- Cilantro: Use fresh cilantro stems and leaves.
- VARIATION: Parsley (flat-leaf): This is often the go-to substitute for its fresh, herbaceous flavor and similar appearance. It’s milder and lacks the citrusy notes of cilantro. You can add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice to brighten it up. Thai Basil: Offers a more aromatic and slightly spicy, licorice-like flavor. It can be a great alternative in Southeast Asian dishes.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice at Home
This copycat chipotle lime rice is tender and full of flavor and perfect side dish for not only your favorite Mexican dishes but it is truly wonderful with any of your favorite main courses.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep the Rice: Then stir the rinsed rice, butter, and salt into a saucepan. Cover and reduce heat to low.
- Cook Time: Next, simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is soft and fluffy. Turn off the heat, fluff the rice with a fork, and then add the lime zest, lime juice, and add cilantro to the rice.
Prep Ahead Suggestions to Make this Cilantro Lime Rice
There are several things you can do to prep this copycat recipe.
- Cook the Long Grain Rice: Cook the rice ahead of time and store the cooked white rice in the refrigerator.
- Chop Cilantro: Chop the cilantro in advance and store it in an airtight container.
- Zest and Juice Limes: Zest and juice the limes ahead of time for the chipotle cilantro lime rice.
How to Store the White Rice with Lime Flavor, Reheat and Use Leftover Chipotle Rice
- Storing: Transfer the cooled rice to an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. If using a bag, try to squeeze out as much excess air as possible. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
- Reheating: Place the rice in a microwave-safe dish. Add a teaspoon or two of water or broth per cup of rice. This helps to rehydrate the rice and prevent it from drying out. You can also cover it with a damp paper towel. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (vented). Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes per cup, or until heated through. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Using Leftovers: Salads: Add it to cold salads for extra flavor and substance. Stuffed Peppers: Mix it with cooked vegetables and protein to fill bell peppers. Soups and Stews: Add it to hearty soups or stews towards the end of cooking.Fried Rice: Use it as a base for a quick and flavorful fried rice dish. Meal Prep: Portion it out with protein and vegetables for easy and healthy lunches or dinners. Sushi Bowls: Use it as a base for deconstructed sushi bowls with your favorite sushi ingredients. With Eggs: Serve it alongside scrambled, fried, or poached eggs for a flavorful breakfast or brunch.
Common Questions About This Chipotle Copycat Recipe
You can make this Cilantro Lime rice in the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker if you have one. You can also cook the rice in a rice cooker. It will take one normal cycle in the rice cooker.
Of course you can if you are in a pinch, however, fresh lime juice and lime zest is best. For true lime flavor.
Cilantro lime rice is a fantastic base that pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. Here are some delicious things you can add directly to your cilantro cooked rice to enhance its flavor and texture:
Vegetables:
Corn: Roasted, grilled, or canned corn all work well.
Black Beans: Provides a hearty, earthy flavor and extra protein and fiber. Rinse and drain canned black beans before adding.
Diced Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, or orange peppers add a touch of sweetness and color.
Diced Red Onion: Offers a sharp, slightly sweet flavor.
Jalapeño or Other Chili Peppers: If you like a bit of heat, finely dice a jalapeño (remove seeds for less spice) or other chili peppers. You can sauté them with the optional oil at the beginning of cooking.
Green Chilies (canned): Add a mild, slightly tangy flavor to the easy recipe.
Expert Tips for Making Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice This Recipe
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cilantro and lime juice and cilantro are essential for the best flavor of this easy cilantro lime rice.
- Rinse and Toast: for the best rice, rinse your rice and toast the rice.
- Add Lime Zest: Lime zest adds a concentrated citrus flavor.
- Fluff the Rice: Fluff the mexican rice with a fork before adding the lime juice and cilantro.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked rice can be mushy.
- Stems: Cilantro stems are packed with flavor and are often more potent than the leaves.
- Add the cilantro at the end: Adding the cilantro at the end of the cooking process, will help to retain the fresh cilantro flavor.
- Use a rice cooker: A rice cooker will help to cook the rice perfectly every time.
- Serve this recipe with: List what to serve with Chicken Burrito Bowl, Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos and Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet.
More Recipes You Might Like
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Lime Cilantro Rice
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Long grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons Lime zest, about 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice, about 1 lime
- ½ cup Cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Rinse the rice.
- Stir in rice, butter and salt.
- Cover and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Turn off the heat, fluff rice and stir in the lime zest, lime juice and cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cilantro and lime juice and cilantro are essential for the best flavor of this easy cilantro lime rice.
- Rinse and Toast: for the best rice, rinse your rice and toast the rice.
- Add Lime Zest: Lime zest adds a concentrated citrus flavor.
- Fluff the Rice: Fluff the mexican rice with a fork before adding the lime juice and cilantro.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked rice can be mushy.
- Stems: Cilantro stems are packed with flavor and are often more potent than the leaves.
- Add the cilantro at the end: Adding the cilantro at the end of the cooking process, will help to retain the fresh cilantro flavor.
- Use a rice cooker: A rice cooker will help to cook the rice perfectly every time.
- Serve this recipe with: List what to serve with Chicken Burrito Bowl, Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos and Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
We love honest feedback, but to keep reviews helpful for everyone, we reserve the right to remove star ratings if it is clear the recipe has not been made, if the comment does not provide meaningful input, or if significant substitutions or alterations were made. Please note that ratings should reflect the original recipe as written to avoid confusing other readers.
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
I am having a party and wanting to know if I can make this the morning of the party and reheat before I serve it?
Thanks, JT
Absolutely!