How to make easy, fluffy, and flavorful copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice!
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I absolutely love finding new ways to make really simple yet delightfully flavorful recipes, especially when it comes to side dishes. That’s why I was over the moon when I discovered my own version of Chipotle’s irresistible cilantro lime rice!
This recipe is so easy and simple that it’s an automatic keeper! I only need a few kitchen utensils, a rice cooker, and just a few ingredients and I’m good to go! Of course, if you don’t have a rice cooker you can just use a large pot with a lid instead, I just prefer to use my rice cooker when I can.
This delectable and fluffy rice dish is perfect to serve for dinner, lunch, or even for easy meal prep. And it goes perfectly with almost any main dish that you can think of! Serve with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or even steak and black beans for a wholesome and healthy light meal. Or serve alongside some homemade burritos, beans, and guacamole for a more hearty and filling meal.
However you want to serve this satisfying rice dish, it’s sure to be a new family favorite for years to come! Ready to get dinner on the table? Let’s get this fiesta started! Here’s my process on how to make my easy Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice.
To make easy cilantro lime rice, all you need is: a rice cooker, large mixing bowl, rice, water, salt, olive oil, cilantro, a lime, and some kitchen utensils. First, rinse and strain the rice. Then, pour the rice into a rice cooker and cover with water. Stir and close the lid. Cook the rice per the rice cooker’s instructions, about 25-35 minutes, or until there’s no liquid left. After cooking, transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl and add in the remaining ingredients. Stir gently to combine everything. Serve and enjoy!
Easy Equipment
First, let me go over my short and simple equipment list for this delectable rice dish. No special or fancy equipment needed here, just a few basic common kitchen tools and a rice cooker. Here’s what I use to make my easy cilantro lime rice:
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring spoons
- Zester
- Rice cooker
- If you don’t have a rice cooker you can just use a large pot with a lid.
- Glass mixing bowl
- Rice Washer
Cilantro Lime Ingredients
Now let me go over my short ingredient list that I use for this copycat rice recipe. My version of this flavorful rice dish is very simple so I don’t have to round up a ton of ingredients either. Here are the ingredients I use for copycat Chipotle rice:
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro– minced
- 1 fresh lime– juiced and zested
How to Make Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Now it’s time for me to break down how to make this satisfying side dish! This process is super easy and simple so it’s perfect for beginners or when you need an easy 30 minute meal idea at the end of a busy day. Here’s how to make my copycat Chipotle cilantro lime rice:
- First, measure out all of the rice ingredients with the measuring cup and spoons.
- Then, use the rice washer to rinse and strain the rice.
- Next, pour the rinsed rice into a rice cooker.
- Cover the rice with the water.
- Stir the 2 ingredients together and seal the cooker with the lid.
- Then, cook the rice per the rice cooker instructions. This should be about 25-35 minutes, or until there’s no liquid left.
- Once fully cooked, transfer the cooked rice to a large mixing bowl.
- Next, add in the cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and olive oil.
- Gently stir all the ingredients together.
- Finally, scoop and serve this scrumptious rice side dish!
Storing Cilantro Lime Rice
To store cilantro lime rice: first, let the rice cool to room temp. Then transfer it to an airtight container and label the date on the outside to keep up with freshness. Store in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
30 Minute Recipes
Dashing Dinner Ideas
There are all kinds of ways to serve this yummy cilantro lime rice dish! Serve it as a scrumptious side dish with some grilled chicken, or piled up next to some homemade burritos. However you want to serve it, this dish is going to be a keeper! Here are some recipes to pair with this rice dish along with some more helpful dinner recipes:
Serve with/in:
- Classic Guacamole
- Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Spicy Jalapeno Cornbread
- Elote- Mexican Street Corn
- Watermelon Margaritas
- Homemade burritos, quesadillas, or tacos.
- Or try my easy Mexican Rice!
Quick Meats and Proteins:
- Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Salmon Steak
- Shrimp on the Grill
More Satisfactory Sides and Quick Meals:
- Easy Dinner Rolls
- Summer Cucumber Salad
- Easy Coleslaw
- Macaroni Salad with Chicken
- Classic Meatloaf
- Quick Chicken Alfredo
- One-Pot Pasta
- Stuffed Peppers
- Stuffed Chili Peppers
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro minced
- 1 fresh lime Juiced and zested
Instructions
- First, measure out all of the rice ingredients with the measuring cup and spoons.
- Then, use the rice washer to rinse and strain the rice.
- Next, pour the rinsed rice into a rice cooker.
- Cover the rice with the water.
- Stir the 2 ingredients together and seal the cooker with the lid.
- Then, cook the rice per the rice cooker instructions. This should be about 25-35 minutes, or until there’s no liquid left.
- Once fully cooked, transfer the cooked rice to a large mixing bowl.
- Next, add in the cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, salt, and olive oil.
- Gently stir all the ingredients together.
- Finally, scoop and serve this scrumptious rice side dish!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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