Easy Cilantro and Lime Rice - Chipotle Copycat

Name: Cilantro Lime Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ¾ teaspoons salt; 1 cup long grain white rice (rinsed and drained with cool water (Basmati rice was used)); 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest; 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves; Chopped fresh cilantro; Fresh lime wedges

Cilantro lime rice is a fresh and zesty side dish made with long grain rice, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro. It's quick to prepare, taking just 25 minutes, and pairs perfectly with burrito bowls, tacos, and grilled meats.

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Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Servings

Table of Contents

Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
7 Secrets to Recreating the Chipotle Rice Recipe at Home
How To Serve Lime Rice
How To Store Rice With Cilantro and Lime
Lime and Cilantro Rice FAQ
More Rice Recipes
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If fluffy, fragrant rice with a zesty kick is your thing, this cilantro and lime rice is about to become your new favorite side. It’s fresh, delicious and ridiculously easy — a total Chipotle copycat but better because it’s homemade. Perfect with grilled chicken, stuffed into tacos, or piled high in burrito bowls. Trust me, you’re going to want to put this on everything.

What to Expect → The citrusy🍋‍🟩 lime cuts through the richness of whatever you’re serving it with, and the hit of fresh 🌿 cilantro at the end brings everything to life with a bright, zesty ✨ lift.

Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup long grain white rice
1 teaspoon fresh lime zest
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Ingredient Substitutions

✔️ For a slightly more savory flavor, you can replace the water with broth. This adds an extra layer of flavor that works well with Mexican recipes.

✖️ You can use dried cilantro in a pinch, but fresh is best for that signature Chipotle-style flavor. If using dried, add a teaspoon at a time.

✖️ While you can use bottled lime juice, we recommend fresh lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice may not have the same vibrant taste.

Best Rice to Use

Long grain white rice is your go-to — it cooks up fluffy with separate grains, which is exactly what you want. Basmati is a top choice for rice that has cilantro and lime because of its delicate fragrance and light texture.

Jasmine rice? Also a solid option. It’s slightly more floral and a touch softer than regular long grain, but it still holds up beautifully in this rice recipe.

You can absolutely use leftover rice to make this recipe. Warm the rice gently, then stir in the fresh lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.

⛔ Just skip short grain or sticky rice — they’ll clump up and turn this into something closer to a limey risotto. ⛔

Whatever you choose, give it a good rinse before cooking to keep things fluffy, not gluey.

A bowl of fluffy white cilantro lime rice garnished with chopped cilantro, placed in front of a Chipotle-branded drink cup and surrounded by fresh lime wedges and whole limes. Text on the image reads: “7 Secrets for Recreating Chipotle’s Rice at Home.” The background includes a white marble surface and black utensils.

7 Secrets to Recreating the Chipotle Rice Recipe at Home

1. Use the Right Pot
Reach for a two to three-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. It’s the perfect size for cooking one cup of rice and ensures even heat distribution — no scorched bottoms or uneven grains.

2. Olive Oil = Fluffy Rice
A tablespoon of olive oil in the water isn’t just for show — it helps keep the grains from clumping together, so your rice comes out tender, not gluey.

3. Season That Water Like Pasta
Don’t skip the ¾ teaspoon of salt. Just like pasta water, this is your one big chance to infuse flavor from the inside out. Salt now = delicious later.

4. Boil First, Then Drop the Heat
Bring your seasoned water to a rolling boil before adding the rice. Once you stir in the rice, immediately lower the heat to low and pop the lid on. This quick shift in temperature sets you up for perfect water absorption.

5. Lid On = Steam Power
Once the lid is on, don’t peek! It’s tempting, I know. But lifting the lid releases steam, which is essential for evenly cooked, fluffy rice. Set a timer for 20 minutes and walk away.

6. The Secret Final Step: Rest
When the timer goes off, turn off the heat but leave the lid on for 5 minutes. This rest time lets the rice finish absorbing steam — it’s the difference between soggy and sublime.

7. Fluff Like a Pro
Use a fork (not a spoon!) to fluff the rice. This keeps the grains separate and gives that beautiful light, airy texture.

Split image showing a stainless steel pot of rice on a white marble surface. The left side shows fluffy cilantro lime rice with chopped fresh cilantro, while the right side shows plain rice being fluffed with a fork. Bold text above the pot reads: “Use a Fork (Not a Spoon) for Perfectly Fluffed Rice,” with illustrated sparkles and a fork icon.

How To Serve Lime Rice

Whether you’re serving it alongside your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes or using it as a base for creative bowls, here are some serving ideas to take your cilantro lime rice to the next level.

🌯 Build a Burrito Bowl – Use lime rice as the base for a burrito bowl. Top with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and fresh salsa. 👉 Get the Recipe

🌮 Pair with Shrimp Tacos – Serve cilantro lime rice alongside shrimp tacos drizzled with a spicy cilantro lime sauce. 👉 Get the Recipe

🥗 Accompany a Southwest Salad – Add a scoop of cilantro lime rice to a Southwest salad loaded with fresh veggies and grilled chicken. 👉 Get the Recipe

🍗 Serve with Coconut Lime Chicken – Chipotle rice makes an excellent side for coconut lime chicken as it soaks up the creamy coconut sauce. 👉 Get the Recipe

How To Store Rice With Cilantro and Lime

This cilantro and lime rice keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to four days. Just let it cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container.

This rice also freezes well for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as above.

REHEATING:

STOVETOP: Add a splash of water or broth to the rice and warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
MICROWAVE: Transfer the rice to a microwave-safe dish, add a bit of water, and cover with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.

Meal Prep – Making Ahead of Time

You can make this Copycat Chipotle rice recipe in advance. Cook the rice as directed, but skip the rest. Let the rice cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or freezer for up to two months.

When you’re ready to serve, reheat the rice until warm, then stir in the freshly chopped cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. This keeps the herbs bright and the citrus flavor punchy, just like freshly made.

Lime and Cilantro Rice FAQ

Does the rice need to be rinsed before cooking?

Yes, rinsing the rice under cool water helps remove excess starch, which prevents the rice from becoming too sticky or clumping together.

How do I keep the cilantro from wilting in the rice?

To keep the cilantro fresh, wait until the rice has cooled slightly before stirring in the chopped cilantro. This will prevent it from wilting too quickly due to the heat.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can double this recipe easily. Just make sure to use a larger saucepan (at least four to five quarts) to give the rice enough room to cook evenly, and keep the lid tight during cooking to trap steam. Cooking time stays the same.

Close-up of a spoonful of cilantro lime rice being lifted from a white bowl with a black rim. The rice is fluffy and garnished with chopped fresh cilantro. In the background, there are black-and-white striped straws, a lime wedge, and a glass of water on a white marble surface.

And just like that, you’ve got yourself a bowl of perfectly fluffy, zesty cilantro lime rice that steals the spotlight from whatever’s next to it. It’s fresh, it’s vibrant, and it goes with everything — tacos, grilled chicken, burrito bowls, or straight from the pot with a spoon (no judgement here). Once you make it this way, there’s no going back. 🙌

Because let’s be honest — when your Chipotle copycat tastes this good at home, why settle for takeout?

More Rice Recipes

Cilantro Lime Rice

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Cilantro lime rice is a fresh and zesty side dish made with long grain rice, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro. It’s quick to prepare, taking just 25 minutes, and pairs perfectly with burrito bowls, tacos, and grilled meats.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings

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Ingredients

2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
¾ teaspoons salt
1 cup long grain white rice rinsed and drained with cool water (Basmati rice was used)
1 teaspoon fresh lime zest
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Optional garnish

Chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh lime wedges

Instructions

To a 2–3 quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, add the water, olive oil, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, stir in the long grain white rice, then immediately cover the saucepan with the lid and reduce the heat to low.
Cook the rice for 20 minutes without lifting the lid, as the steam is essential for proper cooking. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the lid on, allowing the rice to rest for 5 more minutes so it can absorb any remaining water.
After the resting period, remove the lid and add the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped fresh cilantro. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice and evenly mix in the cilantro and lime.
Transfer the finished cilantro lime rice to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and a lime wedge, if desired.

Notes

Basmati rice was used to develop this recipe, but jasmine rice also works well.
For added flavor, you can substitute unsalted butter for the olive oil.
Be sure to rinse and thoroughly dry your cilantro before using, as it’s often gritty from the way it’s grown.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Angela Sessions Photographer

Easy Cilantro and Lime Rice – Chipotle Copycat