Cilantro Lime Rice is easy to make and the best side to all of your favorite Mexican recipes. It’s the perfect accompaniment to street tacos, pollo asado, carne asada, achiote chicken, and camarónes a la diabla.
This cilantro lime recipe can be made on the stovetop or in a rice cooker in just 35 minutes. It’s as quick and easy to prepare as Mexican rice.
Chipotle rice recipe
Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice has nothing to do with this homemade bad boy. With just 5 ingredients, plus salt and water, you’ll be making yourself week after week instead of beating Chipotle.
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients for this dish. For the full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
rice
We recommend using jasmine rice or basmati rice when preparing this, although any long grain white rice would work.
Fresh Lime Juice
When making lime rice, it is imperative to use fresh lime juice. The flavor profile is far superior to bottled lime juice. While you’re at it, add some lime zest to the mix for another layer of citrus-lime flavor.
coriander
Use as much or as little chopped fresh cilantro as you see fit.
How to make chipotle rice
Just steps away from Restaurant Style Lime Cilantro Rice. This only highlights the most important steps. For the full list of directions, see the recipe card below.
stove top version
Wash – Place the rice in a colander and hold under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
sear – Sauté rice and garlic.
Cook – Add water and salt and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Wait patiently – Let the rice rest for 10 minutes.
premium – Add the cilantro and lime juice and fluff the rice with a fork.
Cilantro Lime Rice (Rice Cooker)
Wash – Place the rice in a colander and hold under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
Cook – Put the oil, garlic, rice, water and salt in the rice cooker and let it cook.
premium – Add the cilantro and lime juice and fluff the rice with a fork.
variations
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice – swap equal parts brown rice for white rice. Brown rice takes longer to cook, so check the back of the bag for the time it will take you to cook the rice.
Lemon Cilantro Rice – Swap equal parts fresh lemon juice for fresh lime juice.
serving suggestions
There are a ton of ways to use cilantro rice, including:
Stuffed burrito – Add your favorite protein and veggies to make a Chipotle-style burrito. Top off with 4 ingredient guacamole, cheese and salsa.
burrito bowl – Add your favorite protein and veggies to make a Chipotle-style bowl. Don’t forget the 4 ingredients guacamole, black beans, cheese, lettuce and salsa.
Garnish – Cilantro Rice is the perfect side to Carne Asada Platter, Steak Quesadilla, Milanesa de Pollo, Fajitas, Taco Recipes, Roasted Sweet Potato Tacos and more. Top it off with refried beans or frijoles charro to make a platter you’d see at your local taqueria.
Mexican recipes
This cilantro lime rice recipe can be served with the same things that can be served with tacos (What To Serve With Tacos). Here are some of our favorite dishes to serve this flavorful rice with:
Carne Asada Recipes
Birria
Tacos al Carbon
Cheese Quesadilla
Mulitas
Carne Asada fries
recipe tips
- We highly recommend using a non-stick pan to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom and burning.
- After cooking, be sure to fluff the rice with a fork (do not stir) to create a nice consistency.
Frequently asked questions about recipes
Here are some common questions you may have when manufacturing:
Do you use coriander stems?
The stalks of coriander have a much stronger flavor than the leaves. It’s up to you whether you want to use cilantro stems or not. They are edible and delicious.
1 cup uncooked rice for cooking
1 cup of uncooked white rice yields 3 cups of cooked white rice. Since this recipe requires 1 cup of rice, you will have 3 cups of cooked rice. One serving is 1/2 cup, leaving 6 servings.
Do I have to wash the rice?
Yes! Do not skip this step as it will drastically negatively affect the outcome of the recipe. Rinsing the rice removes all of the starch, making it less likely to become mushy and lumpy. Allow 2-3 minutes to properly rinse the rice.
storage and rewarming
Refrigerate – Once cool, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
freezing – Once cool, transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
warm up – Place in a microwave-safe container with a few teaspoons of chicken broth or water and heat for 1 minute. Stir and repeat in 30 second increments until fully warmed up.
drink pairings
When enjoying this cilantro rice recipe or celebrating Cinco de Mayo, we always reach for a michelada, mango michelada, or margarita.
Calories: 137kcal
Costs: $2.50
STOVE TOP Cilantro Lime Rice
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Preheat the oil in a large Dutch Oven or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook for about 5 minutes until the rice is toasted.
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Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add salt and water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender.
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Remove from the heat and let rest with the lid on for 10 minutes.
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Add lime juice and coriander and fluff with a fork. Taste and add additional salt if needed.
RICE COOKER CORIANDER LIME RICE
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Add the oil, garlic, rice, water and salt to the rice cooker and stir.
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Following the manufacturer’s directions for your model, fill to the appropriate waterline (ours holds 2 cups), close the lid and set to boil.
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Once the rice is done cooking, add the lime juice and cilantro and fluff with a fork. Taste and add additional salt if needed.
Note 2 – Throw in some lime zest for even more citrus flavor.
note 3- Start with 1/4 cup cilantro and add more if you like.
Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 26G | Protein: 2G | Fat: 3G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 0.4G | Polyunsaturated fat: 0.3G | Monounsaturated fatty acids: 2G | Sodium: 199mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1G | Sugar: 0.2G | Vitamin A: 51ie | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.3mg