Make the best cilantro lime rice with this easy, Chipotle-inspired recipe! Fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and a few simple secrets make this rice perfect for tacos, burritos, or as a tasty side dish everyone will love.
Our reader Sarah raved: “We made this for dinner last night with homemade tortillas and all the fixings. It was so good, thank you!”
Secret to the best Cilantro Lime Rice recipe
I’ve been making this Cilantro Lime Rice for nearly a decade, all thanks to my boys, who were hooked the moment they tried Chipotle’s version. They begged me to recreate it at home, and after countless batches, we’ve landed on a version that’s become a family favorite. It’s a regular at our dinner table, and I’ve fine-tuned it over the years to make sure it’s always a hit. Trust me—when my family finishes every last bite, I know it’s a keeper!
The biggest secrets? First, rinse the rice! It’s a small step, but it makes a huge difference, keeping the grains fluffy, just like in my Spanish rice. I also add both lime and lemon juice for extra brightness, plus a pinch of sugar—something I learned along the way to mimic Chipotle’s flavor. It’s totally optional but gives that signature tang we love.
This rice goes with everything: tacos, burrito bowls, grilled chicken, you name it! I even have a way to transform leftover rice into a fresh batch, making it just as flavorful as the first time around. It’s a quick, waste-free trick that keeps the whole family happy, whether it’s a regular weeknight or a big gathering!
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe Ingredients
This is a simple list of ingredients most of you probably already have. For the most authentic flavor, make sure to grab a fresh lime and lemon!
- Salt & Sugar: An original Chipotle recipe I had from years ago had a little touch of sugar, it doesn’t sweeten the recipe but balances the flavors.
- Rice: I love white basmati rice, personally, so aromatic, but you can use any long-grain rice here — I don’t recommend short-grained rices.
- Bay Leaf: Toss in one whole bay leaf for a hint of herbal goodness in your white rice. One should be enough, but you can use more bay leaves if you want.
- Oil: I prefer avocado oil. Chipotle uses rice bran oil, which isn’t exactly common. I’ve also used coconut oil or olive oil.
- Lime and Lemon: Squeeze juice from one or two limes and a juicy lemon for a zesty, citrusy kick.
- Fresh Cilantro: Make sure your cilantro is washed and finely chopped to maximize its flavor.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. If you like your rice firmer, use a bit less water. Or, for softer rice, add a bit more. Once it’s boiling, toss in your rice, a splash of oil, a bay leaf, and a pinch of kosher salt. Give it a good stir and let it come back to a boil.
- Once it’s simmering, turn the heat low, cover it, and let it steam for about 15 to 20 minutes. While that’s cooking, you can prep the rest. When the time’s up, take it off the heat, and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Then fish out that bay leaf, and fluff it up with a fork.
3. Now comes the fun part—stir in the fresh lemon and lime juice for that tangy kick, a touch of sugar (totally optional!), a bunch of chopped cilantro for flavor, and a bit more salt to taste. Mix it all well into the cooked rice and serve it up right away. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings and the lime juice as desired.
Lime Cilantro Rice Recipe Tips
- After steaming the rice, use a fork to gently fluff it instead of stirring. This helps to keep the texture and separate the grains without making the rice mushy.
- Once the rice is cooked, cover the saucepan with a clean kitchen towel or lid and let it rest for 5-10 minutes off the heat. That way, the rice finishes steaming and absorbs any remaining moisture, resulting in a fluffy and evenly cooked texture.
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Add Protein: Serve this fluffy rice with chicken, steak, shrimp, or pork.
Types of Rice: You can choose between regular white rice, brown rice, or another type of whole-grain rice. If you’re into low-carb or keto foods, try cheesy cauliflower rice—it’s a tasty option! When making the Chipotle brown rice recipe, be sure to rinse the rice well and follow the package instructions for liquid and cooking time. Usually, you need a little more water and longer cooking time with brown rice.
Adjust the Citrus: Add more limes and lemon juice if you want that bold citrus kick, or go lighter for a more subtle flavor. Mixing in some lime zest is also a great idea! Personally, I’m all about loading up with 4 or 5 limes—it really brings out the zing!
Add Fresh Veggies: For extra flavor and texture, add diced bell peppers, corn kernels, chopped tomatoes, or even black beans to cilantro lime rice.
Using Leftover Rice for Cilantro Lime Rice
- Make sure your rice is completely cooled, this is simliar to fried rice and if it’s hot, it can turn into a mushy mess.
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of neutral oil (or butter) over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet. Add cooled rice, stirring well to warm all the way through. If using, sprinkle a little sugar over the rice and saute.
- Remove from heat and stir in your lemon and lime juice. Add a generous amount of chopped cilantro, taste, adjust seasonings and serve.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Steam your rice in your pressure cooker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then continue with the recipe.
Rice Cooker Instructions
Follow the instructions on your rice cooker and steam rice, then stir in lemon and lime juices, oil, salt and cilantro.
Make Your Own Burrito Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice!
If you love this copycat chipotle cilantro lime rice, why not make the entire bowl? Check out my Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls for easy steps and simple ingredients. Also worth trying is this Instant Pot Carnitas recipe and flavorful Mexican Barbacoa Tacos.
How to Store Cilantro Lime Rice
Refrigerate – After your leftovers have cooled down, store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good for around four days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, either warm them up on the stove until they’re hot or heat them in short bursts in the microwave. Easy peasy!
Can I freeze cilantro rice?
Yes, you can freeze cilantro rice! Store the fully-cooled rice in an airtight, freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. It’ll stay good for about three months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating it the next day.
Cilantro Rice FAQs
Yes, you can use the stems of cilantro along with the leaves in recipes. The stems have a similar flavor to the leaves, though they are slightly more intense. If you choose to use them in the rice dish, be sure to chop finely.
It’s simple, really. Brown rice keeps its bran layer, which contains fiber and nutrients, while white rice is polished to remove the bran, resulting in a softer texture but fewer nutrients.
Washing or rinsing rice is easy! First, put the rice in a bowl and cover it with cold water. Swirl the rice around gently with your hand, then carefully pour out the cloudy water of excess starch. Repeat until the water runs clear—that’s it, now your rice is ready to cook!
According to Chipotle’s nutritional website, a normal serving (in a burrito, for instance) has 210 calories, 4 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat, and 40 grams of carbohydrates.
What to serve with Chipotle Lime Rice
- Chipotle Chicken Bowls (yum!)
- Coconut Lime Chicken
- Authentic Mexican Chicken Fajitas
- Creamy Guacamole Recipe
- Queso Cheese Dip
For the perfect rice texture, do not overcook the rice and fluff it with a fork.
More like this Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe:
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Spanish Rice Recipe
- Instant Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
- Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
More from The Fresh Cooky
I hope you loved this Chipotle Copycat Cilantro-Lime Rice. If you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? Be sure to comment below!
Ingredients
Steamed Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice rinse well before cooking
- 1 bay leaf optional, but adds herbal notes
- 1 teaspoon oil I use avocado oil, Chipotle uses rice bran oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 juicy medium lime
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 juicy lemon
- ¼ – ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan (use less water for firmer rice, and more for softer rice). Add rice, oil, bay leaf, and salt, stir, and return to a boil. (I add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.) Reduce heat to low, cover, and steam for 15-20 minutes. See notes for rice cooker or to bake your rice.1 cup basmati rice, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Remove from heat, remove the bay leaf and fluff with fork.
- Stir in lemon, lime juice, sugar, cilantro, and salt. Serve immediately.1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, ¼ – ½ cup fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Notes
If you already have cooked rice, feel free to use 2-4 cups, adjusting your lime and lemon juice based on your desired taste. Reheat by adding 1-2 tablespoons of oil to a large saute pan and saute cooked rice until heated through, then add sugar, kosher salt, lemon and lime juice and toss with cilantro. **A friend who used to work for Chipotle said they make it fresh every morning. They steam the rice with bay leaves, then season it with lime and lemon juices, a touch of sugar, and kosher salt and toss it with cilantro when ready to serve. One cup of dry rice makes about 3-4 cups of cooked rice (see individual package). If you are not using basmati, I recommend rinsing your rice in a sieve with cool water to remove the starch. This recipe easily doubles or triples (watch your citrus amounts when tripling, you will need less) How to Bake Rice in the Oven
I learned about baking rice from a friend, I love making it this way because you do not end up with a mess on your stove from the rice boiling over. To bake your rice, proceed with the recipe as described above in step 1 in an oven-proof saucepan with an oven-proof lid. Once it comes to a boil, place the saucepan in a preheated 325° F (165° C) oven with the lid on and bake for about 20 minutes until the water is absorbed. How to cook long-grain rice in a rice-cooker
For best results, double the recipe. Add rinsed rice, water (according to manufacturer instructions), bay leaf, salt (using less about 1 teaspoon), and oil. Cook according to manufacturer instructions. How to make Chipotle Brown Cilantro Lime Rice
Follow the instructions on the package of brown rice. One cup of cooked brown rice makes about eight servings. Plan on about 40-45 minutes for the stovetop and longer for a rice cooker. Use the same amount of seasonings, lime and lemon juice, salt, etc. Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot
For best results, double the recipe. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Add oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot, swirling to cover the pot. Add rice, salt, and bay leaf, followed by water. Add enough water to cover the rice by about ½ inches, about 3 cups of water. Stir to combine.
Cover and lock the lid, and cook on High (Manual or Pressure Cook) for 4 minutes. Allow IP to come to pressure and cook for 4 minutes (5-7 minutes for high altitude), then allow steam to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any additional pressure, carefully open the lid, and fluff rice with a fork. Remove bay leaf, then stir in cilantro, lime and lemon juices, salt and sugar.
Nutrition
Sarah Vanderkooy
We made this for dinner last night with homemade tortillas and all the fixings. It was so good, thank you!
Thanks Sarah, love hearing this!!
Lynn Spencer
Two words…um…yum!
One word! INDEED!
Marissa Meyer
Hello,
Excellent recipe and next time I will add a bit more cilantro, as Dan and I enjoy the flavor of it. The flavor of the rice went great with green chili chicken enchiladas. Thanks for sharing!
Lovely Marissa, yes, cilantro is definitely by taste!! So glad you liked it!