Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice

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.

Copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice in a bowl.


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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
Copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice ingredients on a marble surface.

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

  1. Using a 2-quart saucepan, heat the oil on low heat.
  2. Add the rice and lime juice and stir for 1 minute. 
  3. Then you will put in the water and salt and bring to a boil.
  4. Cover and turn down the heat to low.
  5. Simmer until the rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
  6. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the cilantro (optional).
  7. Enjoy with your favorite meal or another copycat Chipotle recipe.
A bowl of copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice.

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.

Copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice and steak bites in a bowl.

Love Chipotle? Make more copycat recipes at home.

Favorite Rice Dishes

Check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes here on CopyKat!

Did you make and love this recipe? Give your review below! And make sure you share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!

Copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice in a bowl.

Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice

Make Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice 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 Pork Carnitas.
5 from 9 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Chipotle Recipes, Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, cilantro lime rice, Rice
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 81kcal

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.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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???

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Anonymous

    Jennifer
    I wonder if you could tell me how they make the honey chipotle vinigerette dressing. i love that dressing.

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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!!!

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