Better Than Chipotle Copycat Cilantro Lime Rice (Fluffy and Ready in 25 Minutes)
Make bright, zesty cilantro lime rice at home that surpasses restaurant quality. This easy recipe yields fluffy, separate grains perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, or as a simple side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati recommended)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
Instructions
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, vegetable oil, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not remove the lid during this resting period.
- Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork.
- Add the chopped fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, and lime zest to the rice.
- Fold the ingredients together gently until the cilantro and lime juice are evenly distributed. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, replace the water with chicken broth when cooking the rice.
- If you prefer a softer texture for your burrito bowls, use slightly less water (1 3/4 cups).
- You can prepare the cilantro and lime juice mixture while the rice is resting to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup cooked
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 310
- Fat: 2.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.1
- Trans Fat: 0.0
- Carbohydrates: 37
- Fiber: 1.2
- Protein: 3.8
- Cholesterol: 0