Cilantro Lime Rice (Copycat Chipotle Recipe)
Cilantro lime rice is the most versatile (and popular!) rice to serve in burritos and burrito bowls. It’s easy to make and bursting with flavour from the fresh cilantro and lime juice.
This rice is the base for my Black Bean Burrito Bowl, Chicken or Steak Burrito bowls, and tastes great in an actual burrito! It’s complementary of other Mexican flavours without being over-powering and taking away from the flavour of the other components.
Also delicious alongside fish tacos (Crispy Baked Heart of Palm “Fish” Tacos), Pork Carnitas, Salsa Verde Braised Pork Tostadas. It’s a great easy side to bulk up your meal.
Now if you don’t like cilantro.. well why are you here? But if you are, you can just make lime rice.. but I’d recommend my Summer Mexican Rice instead – it’s delicious even without cilantro.
The Key to Making Good Rice
- Toast your rice until it turns white and pearly. This is an easy way to increase flavour and keep the rice fluffy. It’s a solid alternative to rinsing your rice.
- Little bit of oil to toast will go a long way for flavour and keep the rice from burning. The oil also helps preserve the rice kernel so it doesn’t get mushy or sticky.
- Fresh lime juice AFTER cooking. When you heat an acid, it actually changes the flavour and will become less acidic. Adding the lime juice at the last minute ensures a tart burst of flavour.
- Fresh cilantro, please! You can use dried, but it really lacks flavour. Use 1/3 volume of the fresh as dried. Again, add after cooking as too much heat will destroy the fresh cilantro flavour and turn it brown instead of bright green.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Versatile: this rice pairs well with burrito bowls, fajitas, burritos, and as a side for tacos.
- Complementary: doesn’t overpower anything you serve with it, making it a great complementary side/filling.
- Easy and quick: Ready in under 30 minutes and super quick to put together. This is vital when I’m busy making other dishes or filling for a burrito bowl.
- Tastes like Chipotle: As a bit of a Chipotle copycat recipe and other burrito bowl chains, it makes you feel like you’re eating take-out – but for 1/4 the price!
How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Step 1 – Toast your rice
In a medium pot, heat the oil. Add the rice and toast rice over medium heat for a few minutes. Don’t let it burn/brown. It will appear “whiter” as it toasts. Stir in the salt.
Step 2 – Prep your aromatics
Get the cilantro chopped the the lime ready for the rice.
Step 3 – Cook the rice
Add 2 cups warm water (or amounts according to package instructions) and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 4 – Serve
Once the rice is ready, add the lime juice and cilantro. Fluff, then set aside until ready to serve.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium pot, heat the oil. Add the rice and toast rice over medium heat for a few minutes. Don’t let it burn/brown. It will appear “whiter” as it toasts. Stir in the salt.
- Add 2 cups warm water (or amounts according to package instructions) and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
- Once the rice is ready, add the lime juice and cilantro. Fluff, then set aside until ready to serve.