The BEST Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

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Colorful and packed with flavor, you’ll love this Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice recipe. It’s the perfect side to any tex-mex meal!

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When it comes to eating out, my family LOVES heading to the local Chipotle. We all have our favorite food there, but we also always add cilantro lime rice to our dish.

I personally love a burrito bowl, with all the toppings. But of course it needs to start with a layer of my favorite rice.

Want to know how to make it at home?

How to make Cilantro Lime Rice

Start by choosing your favorite white rice. Like Chipotle, I opt to use a long grain rice.

My favorite is Jasmine rice. I also like to rinse my rice before cooking, as it helps remove some of the starch coating so it’s a little less sticky once cooked.

Add rinsed long grain rice to saucepan with water and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.

Once boiling, cover rice, and reduce heat to low (simmer). Cook for about 15-20 minutes.

Once rice is tender to your desired doneness, remove from heat. Add lime and lemon juice, salt, and cilantro.

Toss with a fork and serve immediately.

Can I make this with brown rice

Absolutely. Just bear in mind that brown rice traditionally takes longer to cook. So check your package directions and cook with a bay leaf.

You can also make this with a basmati rice, just check packaging to see if it needs to cook longer.

How to season rice perfectly

Add more or less seasoning to cilantro lime rice will depend on each individual palate.

I use about 1/3 cup chopped cilantro (including stems) for every 1 cup of dry rice. 

I find this is a personal preference. If you want to add more for a bolder flavor, start by using 1/2 cup!

Same is true for the citrus.

I use about 1/2 of a lime, and 1/2 of a lemon for every 1 cup of dry rice. Flavor with more if you prefer.

How to make SPICY Cilantro Lime Rice

If you like a little heat in your rice, add some diced jalapenos or green chilies. You can use fresh or canned!

How to measure servings of rice

Wondering how much rice you need for a serving?

Typically 1 cup of dry Jasmine rice will equal about 3  cups of cooked rice. 

Each serving size is approximately 1/2 cup. Which means, technically, my recipe serves 6 people.

Unless you’re like me and double up on the carbs!

What to serve with Cilantro Lime Rice

Whether you’re eating mexican or pulled pork, today’s rice recipe is quite versatile!

Make some Crockpot Carnitas and serve in a tortilla with a side of cilantro lime rice. Or put the rice ON the tortilla with the meat!

This Crockpot Barbacoa and Cilantro Lime Rice go hand in hand. My husband loves the spicy meat with the flavorful rice!

Take your tacos to the next level with this Baked Tacos recipe! Create the ultimate dish to serve your family and friends, without your taco crumbling on your plate!

You may think that this rice is only good with mexican food, but we love serving it with Mississippi Pot Roast too! Perfect if you choose to not serve your roast over mashed potatoes!

If you love cilantro, this easy Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken is the perfect mate to today’s rice recipe! Packed with flavor, you’re family will love it.

What else to serve on a Chipotle Burrito Bowl

So now you’ve got the Chipotle copycat recipe for cilantro lime rice,and  you found my carnitas and barbacoa recipes above…what else do you put on your burrito bowl.

Personally, I love topping mine with black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, lettuce, and cheese!

For a delicious twist, try making this mango guacamole or this salsa verde instead!

Ingredients for Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe:

• Long Grain Rice (like Jasmine)
• Water
• 1 bay leaf
• Cilantro
• Lime (juice)
• Lemon (juice)
• Salt

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Yield: 6 servings

Cilantro Lime Rice

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
• 2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Add rinsed long grain rice to saucepan with water and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
2. Once boiling, cover rice, and reduce heat to low (simmer). Cook for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Once rice is tender to your desired doneness, remove from heat. Add lime and lemon juice, salt, and cilantro.
4. Toss with a fork and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1/2 cup cooked
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 36 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 198mg Carbohydrates: 8g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Protein: 1g

*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.

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