Create Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice recipe in your own home with this delicious copycat recipe. If you close your eyes you will think you’re eating one of Chipotle’s rice bowls. This recipe is so easy to make and pairs perfectly with my copycat Chipotle carnitas.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
Chipotle is known for making everything fresh. Every time you go in there, they are busy preparing their signature dishes. Their rice is honestly one of our favorite parts of their menu. After all, it’s seasoned perfectly with cilantro and lime juice.
I love this as a side dish, by itself or as one of their delicious Chipotle’s rice bowls. If you enjoy rice, don’t miss this savory version.
You can make rice just like the Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants with our copycat recipe. Scroll down to see my video on how easy this recipe is to make.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make it:
- Vegetable Oil
- White Basmati Rice
- Lime juice
- Water
- Salt
- Cilantro
If you don’t like cilantro…
You can just leave it out of the recipe. I know cilantro can be a tricky ingredient for some. Even Chipotle understands not everyone likes cilantro.
Chipotle actually has plain rice they serve for anyone who doesn’t enjoy it. So it’s perfectly ok if you leave it out of this recipe and just enjoy the lime flavor.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
- Using a 2-quart saucepan, heat the oil on low heat.
- Add the rice and lime juice and stir for 1 minute.
- Then you will put in the water and salt and bring to a boil.
- Cover and turn down the heat to low.
- Simmer until the rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the cilantro (optional).
- Enjoy with your favorite meal or another copycat Chipotle recipe.
Do I have to use Basmati Rice?
The simple answer is no. But Basmati Rice is long grain rice and works perfectly in this recipe.
If you prefer to use brown rice, you can certainly do so. Just follow the instructions for making the brown rice. Brown rice typically takes longer to cook, so just make sure you follow the instructions.
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Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2/3 cup white basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, heat the oil or butter over low heat. If using butter, stir it occasionally until melted. Add the rice and lime juice and stir for 1 minute. Add the water and salt. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Cover, turn down the heat to low and simmer until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed about 25 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the cilantro.
AngieVee
Can you use brown rice instead?
stephaniemanley
I think you could use it, it wouldn’t be the same, but you could use the brown rice
Mskimmy
My son loved this and he said it was just as good as Chipotle. He also just had his tonsils out a week ago and was so excited to eat this with a flavor he loves!
stephaniemanley
I hope your son recovered well.
Ashea
I made this for a second time tonight, thinking I did something wrong the first time. It turned out dry and the flavor isn’t correct. What am I doing wrong???
stephaniemanley
Your rice may have needed more water.
Tres_incroyable
this is not correct. you need to use soy oil for the same flavor. and you need to throw in a bay leaf.
Brittany Joyce
Could you use Jasamine rice instead and have it taste the same?
Stephanie
I don’t think it would come out as well with Jasmine rice.
Mensur Beba
NO, Jasmine rice absorb excess moisture and is extremely hard to cook without it being sticky. Use Basmati rice instead.
Kateron3boys
this is not enough liquid to rice…. ?
Kateron3boys
this is not enough liquid to rice…. ?
Kateron3boys
this is not enough liquid to rice…. ?
Troy
This came out great!! Kosher salt made a difference the second time around, but both were great!
jules vilmur
Perfect, stupid-simple rice! And I agree with the Kosher salt. Now all I need is Chipotle’s corn salsa and some grilled veggies for a veggie bowl. Thank you.
Degmm
Next time don’t play that stupid music. You can hear that just fine, can’t her Stephanie for the directions.
stephaniemanley
We did pull back on the music in future videos. Thank you for that recommendation.
Bill
Where is the Chipotle
Anonymous
There is none, it is the name of the restaurant.
Sheri
Just a tip, you can save a ton of money on basmati rice by purchasing it at an asian grocery store. It’s a quarter of the price.
john
Basmati rice is sold in bulk at Whole Foods. Cheaper and of better quality and freshness then the expensive supermarket small bags. It also comes in a “Brown Rice” version for better health. Cooking time is longer and water amounts increase with brown. Whole foods has cooking instructions at service counter or on-line recipe sites will provide.
stephaniemanley
Thank you for your tip.
Anonymous
Jennifer
I wonder if you could tell me how they make the honey chipotle vinigerette dressing. i love that dressing.
Sharon
The Asian – Indians have been making this pilaf for generations.
Josh
Alex,
You said you worked at Chipotle Mexican Grill for a year. Do you by chance know the recipe for the Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa? And would you be willing to share it? I would be greatful if you would. I use to be able to go to Chipotle, but I moved to east TN and there are none close.
Thanks in advance,
Josh
Alex Montgomery
A good tip is to use Kosher Salt. I worked at Chipotle Mexican Grill for a year and I can assure you the Kosher Salt used makes a recognizable difference!
Kari
Delicious! I wasn’t sure if the additional cost for the Basmati rice instead of regular rice would be worth it, but it was! The lime and cilantro flavors were perfectly balanced. I will definitely make this again for burritos or as a side dish.
Rachel
I recently made this rice and used the recipe on here for the ancho marinade. Thankfully, it tasted exactly like Chipotle…especially since there is not one in our area and once a twice a year is just not enough! THANKS SO MUCH!!!