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With these simple steps and key ingredients like fluffy rice, fresh cilantro, and zingy lime, you can bring the distinctive flavors of Chipotle to your dinner table. This rice pairs well with any Mexican dish.
Featured with this recipe
The Cilantro Lime Rice from Chipotle is one of my favorite side dishes to get at the popular Tex-Mex restaurant. But it’s SO easy to make at home, you won’t even believe it. The tasty rice is perfect for layering in a burrito, taco, salad, burrito bowl and more. When you make this Chipotle copycat at home, you can save money and have it on hand to serve with your favorite Mexican recipes. Serve as a side with some black beans, fresh guacamole and you’ve got a fiesta fit for your whole family!
Ingredients in Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
This simple rice dish packs a huge flavor punch without a whole lot of tedious steps or hard to find ingredients. Here’s all you need:
- 1 cup basmati rice – one cup. This rice is best with any form of long-grain rice like basmati or jasmine rice.
- Olive oil – one teaspoon. I like using extra virgin olive oil for a light taste that doesn’t interfere too much with the rice.
- Minced garlic – half a teaspoon minced garlic or about one garlic clove, finely chopped.
- Chicken broth – two cups of chicken broth or chicken stock. Feel free to use low-sodium broth too. It really doesn’t affect the taste of the rice.
- Butter – one tablespoon any type of butter you like. To control the salt amount you can use unsalted butter.
- Lime juice – one quarter cup or the juice of about one lime. If you don’t have any lime juice on hand lemon juice will work as well. Add in some fresh lime zest for extra flavor.
- Fresh cilantro – about two-thirds cup, which is about one full bunch. Make sure it’s finely chopped.
Best Type of Rice for Chipotle Rice
The famous fast-food chain uses long-grain rice like Jasmine rice or basmati rice. Those are probably the best to use in this recipe because it cooks up fluffy, holds its shape well and absorbs flavor. They also have a slightly floral aroma that pairs beautifully with the cilantro and lime in the finished dish. You can, in a pinch, use short grain rice like short-grain white rice or certain brown rices. They just have excess starch and don’t hold their shape as well as a longer grain rice variety.
Steps to Perfectly Fluffy Chipotle Rice
- For this recipe you will NOT use an instant pot, pressure cooker or rice cooker for cooking rice. Instead, rinse the rice and place in a medium pot or saucepan.
- Next, add the olive oil and garlic and sauté with the rice over medium heat for two minutes.
- Slowly add chicken broth and bring to boil.
- Then, reduce heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for about four minutes, or until water level drops below the surge of the rice.
- Reduce heat to lowest setting and cover pan with lid. Cook for 11 minutes, but don’t stir it at all. Just let the rice do its thing. Remove from heat and let sit with lid on for 5 minutes.
- After the five minutes, remove the lid and add in your butter, lime juice and cilantro and let sit for about 2 more minutes.
- Finally, fluff together with fork or rice paddle and serve!
Additional Ingredients to Try
While this chipotle rice copycat recipe is perfect as is, you can add in extra vegetables or protein to bulk it up a little bit more. Try any of these yummy options:
- Diced red, green or yellow bell peppers
- Jalapenos or Chili peppers
- Tomatoes, finely chopped
- Fresh corn kernels
- Black beans or pinto beans
- Sliced avocado
- Shredded cheese
- Barbacoa pork or shredded chicken
- Salsa
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover cilantro lime rice should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure to let it cool completely to room temperature before storing in the fridge. To reheat, microwave individual servings or reheat in a saucepan on the stove. If the rice seems too dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water.
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant’s famous rice gets its unique flavor by seasoning with fresh lime juice, chicken broth, and cilantro.
The fresh herb cilantro adds a fresh, slightly tart flavor to the rice and pairs well with the lime flavoring.
Cilantro is one of those herbs that tastes weird to some people. So if you want an alternative to cilantro, substitute with parsley or oregano.
READ MORE: 75+ Cinco de Mayo Recipes
More Tasty Rice Recipes
Rice makes the best side dish to so many meals! Whether you’re looking for something to complement chicken, tacos, meatballs, and more, there’s a rice side for it! Try some of our very favorites:
How to Make Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ⅔ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse rice and place in a medium pot or saucepan.
- Add olive oil and garlic and sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until the water level drops below the surge of the rice, about 4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Do not stir. Cook for 11 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit with lid on for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and add butter, lime juice, and cilantro. Let sit for about 2 more minutes.
- Fluff rice with a fork or rice paddle and serve.
Notes
- You can use fresh lime juice or lime juice in a container for this recipe.
- Use fresh cilantro finely chopped. I used the whole bunch which equals around 2/3 cup.
- While making any rice, it’s important to leave the lid on and not stir because the rice needs all the water and steam created from placing the lid on top to actually cook and have the best texture.
