Description
This Cilantro Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat recipe offers a fluffy, zesty, and fresh rice side dish perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, or weeknight dinners. Made with extra long grain rice, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro, it comes together easily in about 30 minutes for a flavorful base without the takeout price.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Cooking Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups extra long grain rice (basmati, jasmine, etc.)
- 3 cups water
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 5 teaspoons oil, divided
Flavorings
- 3–4 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or more, to taste)
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Combine and boil rice: In a medium pot, combine the rice, water, 2 teaspoons of oil, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer and steam: Once the water just skims the top of the rice, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for about 20 minutes. After cooking, turn off the heat but keep the lid on and let the rice steam for an additional 5 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Mix in flavorings: Transfer the cooked rice to a medium bowl. Add the chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and the remaining 3 teaspoons of oil. Toss gently to coat each grain evenly with the herby, citrusy mixture.
Notes
- For extra lime flavor, zest one lime and mix it in with the juice for additional brightness.
- Make it even easier by cooking the rice in a rice cooker or Instant Pot instead of stovetop.
- Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for a lighter, fruitier taste.
- Rinse the rice before cooking to achieve extra fluffy rice texture.
- Excellent paired with Baja Shrimp Tacos, Crockpot Shredded Beef Tacos, Country Style Pork Tacos, Chicken Ranch Tacos, or build your own burrito bowl with grilled chicken, beans, corn, and salsa.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: cilantro lime rice, chipotle copycat, Mexican side dish, burrito bowl rice, cilantro rice, lime rice, easy rice recipe, cilantro lime, side dish recipe
