Cilantro Lime Rice
Forget about Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice and make your own! This recipe is bursting with fresh lime and cilantro flavor, and it’s perfect in burrito bowls or as a side dish for tacos, enchiladas and more!
I’ll never forget the first time I went to Chipotle’s for a burrito bowl. My mind was instantly blown, and I knew I’d never want a traditional burrito again.
My favorite part? The Cilantro Lime Rice, of course.
I love my Mexican rice recipe, but I’m a huge fan of the cilantro and lime combination. The pretty green flecks and the fresh flavor are completely irresistible.
Naturally, I had to create my own version ASAP. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- This cilantro lime rice recipe is a family friendly side dish that’s bursting with fresh flavor.
- The recipe includes just (4) simple ingredients and it comes together quickly.
- You control the amount of fat and sodium in this recipe, making it a healthier option.
- It’s naturally gluten and dairy free.
Recipe ingredients
There are only (4) main ingredients in this recipe.
Ingredient notes:
- Long grain white rice. Basmati rice would make a good substitute as well. If you’d like to use brown rice, adjust the cooking time as per package instructions.
- Oil. The oil keeps the cilantro lime rice from becoming too sticky. I used olive oil, but you can use any oil that you have on hand.
- Lime. You’ll need the zest and juice from about 1 1/2 limes. Be sure to use fresh lime as store bought lime juice doesn’t have that fresh flavor.
- Cilantro. The cilantro stems are not bitter, so feel free to chop your cilantro stems and all!
How to make this recipe
This cilantro lime rice recipe is incredibly easy and is done in about 25 minutes!
Pro tip: The rice is toasted in oil before cooking, which ensures that the grains will separate and it won’t be sticky.
Prepare the rice. Heat the oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat, then add the rice. Cook the rice, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Add the salt and water and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.
Steam the rice. When the rice is done, let stand covered for 10 minutes to steam.
Fluff the rice. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
Mix in the lime and cilantro. Add the lime zest, lime juice and chopped cilantro, and mix gently with your fork until combined.
Serving suggestions
There are so many delicious uses for this cilantro lime rice recipe.
- Serve it bowl style topped with pollo asado or slow cooker pork carnitas. Top with pico de gallo and guacamole for the perfect meal!
- It’s great alongside grilled fish tacos or ground beef tacos. It also pairs wonderfully with green enchiladas and chicken enchiladas.
- Serve with tequila lime chicken or blackened salmon topped with pineapple salsa.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: The rice is toasted in oil before cooking, which ensures that the grains will separate and it won’t be sticky.
- Add more or less lime juice and cilantro to suit your taste.
- The cilantro stems are not bitter, so feel free to chop your cilantro stems and all!
- You can also use brown rice in this recipe. Simply adjust the cooking time according to package instructions.
- Store leftover cilantro lime rice in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serve with the following recipes:
- Chicken enchilada bake
- Chicken tostadas by Cooking Classy
- Fish taco bowls
- Sweet potato black bean enchiladas
- Turkey tacos
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 1/2 limes
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the oil in medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden. Add the salt and water, and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes. When the rice is done, remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then add the lime zest, lime juice and cilantro and mix in with your fork just until combined. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: The rice is toasted in oil before cooking, which ensures that the grains will separate and it won’t be sticky.
- Add more or less lime juice and cilantro to suit your taste.
- The cilantro stems are not bitter, so feel free to chop your cilantro stems and all!
- You can also use brown rice in this recipe. Simply adjust the cooking time according to package instructions.
- Store leftover cilantro lime rice in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in July 2013. I’ve updated the recipe, text and photos, and have also included step by step instructions.
25 Comments on “Cilantro Lime Rice”
I’m convinced I love chipotle just because of their cilantro-lime rice so I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thank you!
I love their rice too! I think this should do the trick for you. Hope you enjoy it!
2 of my favorite things – lime and cilantro! Love!
Mine too, Deborah! I’d put them in almost anything. Thanks for stopping by!
This rice looks delicious Marcie. I love the cilantro and lime combination. I bet it would be fabulous in a burrito. YUM! 🙂
Yes, Anne, a burrito would be phenomenal with this rice! Thank you for the idea!
This looks so full of flavor, I love it. In India this would be eaten as a main with a side of potatoes. We have something called the yellow lemon, very popular.
That sounds terrific, and this rice does have a lot flavor. It’s rice with pizazz!
I would love to have a garden, and if I did, I’d be ecstatic if cilantro was running wild! This is the perfect dish to use it in for sure.
I think you should be able to use any of the herbs you mentioned. The lime would taste great with any of them!
I just LOVE rice like this!!! Yummmy!
Me, too! I can eat it by the boat load!
It really does go with just about anything, and I plan to use it often!
This is my favorite kind of rice! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
This is definitely one of my favorite rice dishes, and thanks for hosting that great party!
I love cilantro, too! I’ve had some cilantro lime rice before and it was so delicious. This recipe looks great and so easy.
I’ve only had this kind of rice at Chipotle, and it was so good. This rice was easy to make and it really livened up the meal!
This looks and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it. I love lime and cilantro in anything and everything!
Thank you, Renee — I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I love the flavour – and how simple it is. Perfect side dish for the pineapple curry I am going to make tonight. Thank you, Marcie!
Pineapple curry sounds perfect for this rice!
I have never tasted this at Chipotle’s but I so want to try it! I bet the lime and cilatro just make that rice sing! Yum!
The flavors definitely sing and I hope you get to try it Katerina!
Cilantro lime is one of my favourite flavour combinations, and this rice looks ultra fluffy. We don’t have a Chipotles around here, and I’ve never been to one when visiting the US. But I’m always interested in a tasty burrito bowl. I’ll have to try this rice and add it to my next bowl!
If you love cilantro lime, then you’ll love this rice! I hope you get to try it soon. 🙂